Wrekin news 217 by Plus Two Media Limited

Free

Wrekin

News TAKE PLEASECOPY YOUR

THE REGION’S FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

May 2017 · Issue 217

Sunglasses - find the right style for you!

Wellington IN FOCUS

!THE N I W ICKETS TO

WIN TICKETS To see Sir Cliff !

E SHROPSHIR COUNTY SHOW

In concert in Shropshire

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Richard Worton speaks to Telford’s Tim Stimpson who is a scriptwriter for BBC One’s ﬂagship drama series EastEnders

ADVENTURES IN OLD AGE Don’t panic we haven’t sent George bungee jumping! The Wrekin’s favourite columnist writes this month talking about the small steps to recovery that feel like a big adventure!

Shropshire Horticultural Society Charity Number: 501564

Friday 11th & Saturday 12th August 2017

Flowers, Fireworks & Entertainment with Celebrity Chef John Torode TV Gardeners Joe Swift and Penny Meadmore London Community Gospel Choir – Friday The Overtones – Saturday 1 Front Page.indd 1

28/04/2017 16:46

Wrekin

News Published by: Plus Two Media Limited, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY

Free

F.S.L Jones Television Services

Wrekin

News PLEASE TAKE YOUR COPY

May 2017 · Issue 217

Sunglasses

- find the right style for you!

THE REGION’S FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Wellington

WIN TICKETS

IN FOCUS

WIN!

To see Sir Cliff!

TICKETS TO THE SHROPSHIRE COUNTY SHOW

In concert in Shropshire

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ADVENTURES IN OLD AGE

Richard Worton speaks to Telford’s Tim Stimpson who is a scriptwriter for BBC One’s ﬂagship drama series EastEnders

Don’t panic we haven’t sent George bungee jumping! The Wrekin’s favourite columnist writes this month talking about the small steps to recovery that feel like a big adventure!

Friday 11th & Saturday

12th August 2017

Flowers, Fireworks &

Shropshire Horticultural Society Charity Number: 501564

Entertainment

with Celebrity Chef John Torode TV Gardeners Joe Swift and Penny Meadmore

London Community Gospel

Choir – Friday The Overtones – Saturday

1 Front Page.indd 1

28/04/2017 16:46

Now 40 years in business...

Experience...

WE SUPPLY AND INSTALL:

YOUR VERY OWN SAMSUNG

Televisions Hard Drive Recorders (Freeview & HD) High Definition Blu-Ray DVD Players

SmartTV!

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER

Tel: 01952 522562 Fax: 01952 522567 Editor: James Baylis james@plus2media.co.uk Editorial Support: Tania Baylis tania@plus2media.co.uk Publisher & Design: James Baylis Contributing Photographer: Malcolm Couzens Contributing writer: Dwayne Forrester

01952 522562

A friendly, personal service that you deserve! Need to see it at home before you buy? Not sure what size you want or what model?

HOW TO ADVERTISE

Contact our Advertising Sales Manager: Irene Winning 01952 522562 · irene@plus2media.co.uk Specialist writers: George Evans, Richard Worton, Professor Ralph Early, Sue Ladds, Eve Nicholls, Robert Hudson, and Syd Taylor Sports News: Lez Dean, Fraser Watson and James Shaw To subscribe to Wrekin News please call Tania Baylis on 01952 522562 Printed in Telford by PCP Every care is taken over the accuracy of material in Wrekin News but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Views and opinions of contributors, advertisers and interviewees to Wrekin News are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for such contributions. © Plus Two Media Limited 2017 - All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of the publisher.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk @wrekinnews1 · facebook.com/Wrekin-News

WE CAN BRING A RANGE OF PRODUCTS TO YOUR HOME TO SEE WHICH SUITS YOUR NEEDS BEST.

AERIALS SUPPLIED AND FITTED

Call Frank Jones on: 01952 618975 www.fsljones.co.uk 2 Hour Dry Cleaning Available on most main line items ✓ Curtain Cleaning ✓ Bridal & Evening Wear

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO DOWNLOAD A DIGITAL COPY OF THE MAGAZINE

✓ Laundry Service ✓ Repairs & Alterations ✓ Ironing Service

✓ Clean & Reproof Horse Blankets & Rugs

✓ Oriental Rugs

✓ Reproof & Waterproof Ski Wear

Visit:

www.wrekinnews.co.uk for the latest local news and views as it happens . . .

Wrekin

News

SPECIAL OFFERS

4 Garments Cleaned and Pressed for £18 (excludes silks, linens & specialist items)

2 Duvets Cleaned (any size) for £25

LIMITED TIME OFFER

We also clean: Duvets, Pillows, Mattress Toppers & Mattress Protectors

T&C’s apply - please ask in store for full details

Free Classified lineage ads If you look at our Classified Ads section you will see that you can fill in a form and send your Free Classified Ad to us. Well now we are making it a little easier and accepting Free Classified Ads by email. Just email your advertisement in no more than 35 words to: tania@plus2media.co.uk and we will print it free of charge!

Opening Hours:

Tel: 01952 641754

Monday to Friday: 8am till 6pm

22-24 Haygate Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1QA

Saturday: 9am till 4:30pm E: info@chelseasofshropshire.co.uk www.chelseasofshropshire.co.uk

ALSO drop off and collection available at Green Fields in Donnington & Priorslee

02 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 2, 3 Welcome.indd 1

28/04/2017 16:54

Welcome Tel: 01952 522562 · james@plus2media.co.uk

www.suiteexchange.co.uk

Welcome to the May issue of Wrekin News!

TELFORD’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF SOFAS AND SUITES

ELLO everyone and welcome to the May issue of your favourite monthly lifestyle magazine Wrekin News. We have another packed issue for you to enjoy and get involved with. There are plenty of competitions with some great prizes to be won including a pair of tickets to see the legendary Sir Cliff Richard in concert when his UK tour visits Shropshire in June! This month’s issue is a milestone for Wrekin News and Plus Two Media Limited as it marks twelve months since Plus Two Media took ownership of the magazine. Time seems to have ﬂown by and I am very proud with the twelve issues that we have now published. Feedback from readers and advertisers has been very positive so please do continue to support our advertisers and tell them where you saw their advert. We always enjoy receiving your letters and pictures so please do continue to write in and share your memories with our loyal audience. Well I can’t sign off this issue without mentioning the rather unfortunate apostrophe error on the front page of the last issue! We do always try our best to avoid such silly mistakes but in the fast paced world of publishing working late into the evening on tight deadlines such silly mistakes can and do happen. I hope you enjoy the issue.. Tel: 01952 522562 james@plus2media.co.uk

A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS BUILT ON REPUTATION

GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES Removal of old suite can be arranged

Ja m e s

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY FROM STOCK OPEN 6 DAYS - 18 Market Street, Wellington

(01952) 272249

Over 70 quality design suites on display. Massive savings on chainstore prices, part exchange your used suite.

STUBLEY’S

Loyalty card scheme

WAREHOUSE

Pay for 7 cuts and get the 8 th FREE!

FURNITURE SUPPLIERS

Est.1977 Est.1977

WALK IN SERVICE! The ChopShop are proud to announce our support of the blue light services and our armed forces by offering 20% discount on production of a membership card

NEW RANGE

of Fireside Chairs & Oak collection now in stock Support your local independent shop

Call: 01952 929009 www.facebook.com ChopShopTelford

WE CUT LADIES HAIR AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE OF TRADITIONAL HAIR DRESSER WITH NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

69 New Street, Wellington, Telford (opposite B&M) & Madeley Shopping Malls, High Street, (opposite TESCO) Open 9am - 6pm - 6 days a week

www.stubleys.co.uk CHURCH STREET, WELLINGTON

TEL: 01952 257610 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 03

2, 3 Welcome.indd 2

28/04/2017 17:25

April’s Lucky Winners! Congratulations to all of our prize winners from the April issue, if you didn’t win this time don’t worry there are plenty of opportunities in this issue to win some fantastic prizes!

Blakelands Meal Mark Pearce Tibberton Simon and Garfunkel Maureen Baxter Admaston Not Dead Enough Kath Hardman Admaston Standard Odeon Joanne Kirkbride-Davis Telford

Coffee morning success Wrekin News received this note from Amanda Maddox representing the Arleston Community Centre who recently held a successful coffee morning to raise some much needed funds for a very good cause. A coffee morning was held at the Arleston Community Centre on the 21st March, to raise funds to purchase a new summerhouse for the Dementia unit at Farcroft Residential Home so that the residents can enjoy being outside. The event raised just over £600, and the organisers were also very grateful for a donation received from a tombola held on there behalf by the community team at Tesco. The coffee morning was kindly opened by the Mayor of Wellington, Councillor Phil Morris-Jones. On behalf of the residents in the Dementia unit the organiers would like to say a big thank you to everybody who helped on the day and to those that attended to support them.

Shropshire Kids Fest - over 150 FREE activities

OLLOWING on from the success of last years event the festival is looking to double in size and activities for 2017. Shropshire Kids Festival will take place in the quarry on 13th and 14th May and it promises to be the biggest, most creative, fun filled weekend for kids of all ages. With over 150 activities of amazing activities to try from the massive water slides to the huge zipwire, zorbing, bubble football, two foam parties, zip line, a helter-skelter and a go-kart track, it’s going to be difficult to decide which activity to have a go at first. Organiser Beth Heath said: “This event really is going to be something special.

There will be a number of zones with activities for kids of all ages from babies through to early teens. The weekend is all about trying something new, getting hands on, discovering a new passion and learning, but in a totally fun way.” Festival zones will include a new huge sports zone run by Shrewsbury Town in the Community where where kids can partake in tennis, rugby, football and and indoor sports which include yoga, gymnastics and much more. Competitive types will love the inﬂatable obstacle course and the ‘wacky races’, which will include a laughter inducing water balloon race and the highly anticipated space hopper race. While the

Silver Odeon Suzie Stanbridge Donnington Ironbridge Museum Family Pass Kerry Anderson Wellington

races are free, there will be a chance to do good while having fun, by making a donation to the Harry Johnson Trust. Serious skills will be on show throughout the weekend, as dance acts, singers and musicians share their talent on the festival’s main stage. And there are more creative activities with art and craft sessions focusing on collage and sculpture. If they still have the energy after all that, there’s also a circus skills bigtop, storytelling, kids cookery, gaming van, youth club and to top it all, a not to be missed foam party! Even the youngest children have been catered for with baby sensory sessions, baby yoga, baby singing and toddlers tumble play area. Tickets are priced at £8.00 per child and £2.00 per adult, which entitles a child to participate in most activities for free. Book in advance and get VIP entry an hour before the gates open so miss any queues! Where there is a charge, a percentage will go to the events chosen charity, the Harry Johnson Trust. A local charity which offers help and support to children, who receive care from the Oncology team at The Princess Royal Hospital in Shropshire, as they go through their journey with childhood cancer. For more details and tickets visit the festival’s website: www.shropshirekidsfest.co.uk email: info@shropshirefestivals.co.uk

Buckatree Hall Hotel

Tel: 01952 641 821

Eyton Races Ian Tyrer Wellington

Sunday Lunch Meadowdale Nurseries Voucher winner for March, Heather Jones from Bridgnorth is pictured receiving her prize!

Good Luck! To everyone entering our May competitions!

Theweekend weekend ofof The

13th&& 14th 14th May 2017 13th May 2017 in the Shrewsbury Quarry shropshirekidsfest.co.uk shropshirekidsfest.co.uk

Fantastic Value

£14.95 3 Courses

THE WREKIN, TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE, TF6 5AL Email: sales@buckatreehallhotel.com

04 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 4 News*.indd 1

29/04/2017 01:32

Visit our showroom open Monday d m an Friday 9am - 5p ing rn o m Saturday 10am - 2pm

“We want a conservatory We want want a a conservatory conservatory ““We

that we can use and that we we can can use that use and and ” enjoy all year round ” enjoy all all year year round enjoy round”

“Witha aGuardian Guardian™ Warm Roof in place our conservatory ™ "With our conservatory "With a Guardian™Warm WarmRoof Roof in in place place our conservatory is and warm winter andcool cool summer!” is "With nice and warm in™inin winter and ininsummer!" summer!" aand Guardian Warm Roof in place our conservatory is nice nice warm winter and cool in Whether you’ve already gotin conservatory or just aboutin toto place anan order, thethe thermally eﬃcient is nice and warm winter and cool summer!" Whether you’ve already got aaaconservatory place order, thermally Whether you’ve already got conservatoryor or just just about about to place an order, the thermally

Guardian™ Roof means you’’ll be getting all the advantage of the extra living space plus the efficient Guardian™ Roof means you’ll all advantage ofthe theextra extra living efficient Guardian™ Roof means you’llbe begetting getting all the advantage of Whether got a conservatory or just to place an theliving thermally practical you’ve beneﬁtsalready of a home extension. Call the localabout company with theorder, trusted reputation and the space plus practical benefits ofaahome home extension. space plus thethe practical benefits of extension. efficient Guardian™ Roof means you’ll be getting all the advantage of the extra living added peace of mind from knowing that you are dealing with a GUARDIAN APPROVED INSTALLER space plus the practical benefits of a home extension. (No. GR25088).

In addition to the Guardian™ roof wecan canalso alsohelp help and and provide provide you Bi-fold Doors, French In addition to the Guardian™ roof we youwith withWindows, Windows,Doors, Doors, Bi-fold Doors, French In addition to the Guardian Roof, Arena have 15 years trading history of installing Windows, Doors, Conservatories, Orangery’s, Doors, Conservatories, Roofline and much much more. Home improvement is our speciality and expertise. Doors, Conservatories, Rooflineroof andwe much much more. improvement is our speciality and expertise. In addition to the Guardian™ can also help andHome provide you with Windows, Doors, Bi-fold Doors, French Rooﬂine, Porches and much much more. Home improvement is our speciality and expertise. Doors, Conservatories, Roofline and much much more. Home improvement is our speciality and expertise.

Period & Cottage Windows

Period & Cottage Windows Period & Cottage Windows

Conservatories Call 01952

Designer Conservatories & Orangeries

Designer Conservatories & Orangeries Designer Conservatories & Orangeries

SkyPods

SkyPods SkyPods

Orangeries Windows doors 677611 now for a free no obligation home survey and quote! Call 01952 677611 now for a free no obligation home survey and quote! Call 01952 677611 now for a free no obligation home survey and quote! Bridge Street, Oakengates, Telford TF2 6AH

Email:Street, enquiries@arenawarmroofs.co.uk Bridge Oakengates, Telford TF2 6AH Bridge Street, Oakengates, Telford TF2 6AH

Email: enquiries@arenawarmroofs.co.uk www.arenawarmroofs.co.uk Email: enquiries@arenawarmroofs.co.uk

www.arenawarmroofs.co.uk www.arenawarmroofs.co.uk arena.indd 1

27/04/2017 17:18

Seek out your ancestors with Family Ties Genealogy Have you ever wondered where your family comes from? Where your ancestors lived and how they earned a living? Were they rich or poor? Family Ties Genealogy may be able to answer those questions. Anne and Ursula are the people behind Family Ties Genealogy. With 50 years combined experience, they have the ability to seek out your ancestors. Anne began researching her family when in her early teens and now works on other people’s family trees, and regularly transcribes historical documents. Ursula has a BSC Hons in Social Sciences and has been researching both her own family, and the families of others, for the past 10 years. Anne and Ursula volunteer at the local library, helping people with their research, and assisting

Family Ties Genealogy We are family history researchers with a joint 50 years experience. As we are located in Shropshire, we have easy access to local Shropshire records, which are not online, located at Shropshire Archives, and in our local libraries, for those looking to research parish records and records pre 1837.

● We offer a selection of packages ● We also undertake research at an hourly rate. ● Your package can be tailored to suit most pockets. ● We can assist you, on a one to one basis, if your research has hit a brickwall. ● See our website for details, or give us a call.

Telephone: 01952 303091 (until 9pm, 7days) Email: enquiry@familytiesgenealogy.co.uk

Family Ties Genealogy (DRS), 13 Victoria Road, Shifnal, TF11 8AF

www.familytiesgenealogy.co.uk

local historians. As we are local, we are able to search local documents, (newspapers, parish registers, maps) located in local libraries. The Shropshire Archives is not far away, and we can search even further afield in Birmingham and the Black Country. We also have access to online resources covering areas such as Lancashire, Dorset, South Yorkshire, London, and even as far away as Scotland. If you want to know who you are, then let Family Ties Genealogy find out for you. We offer a comprehensive service, and any information you give us will remain private; we do not share with anyone else; confidentiality is assured. Our research is limited to past generations and does not include searches for living persons.

Know your blood pressure High blood pressure contributes to over 50% of strokes, but often has no symptoms and can aﬀect any one at any age.

Get yours checked for free Location - The Square, Wellington Date - Saturday 3rd June Time - 10am to 4pm

Cain & Sons CARPET & FLOORS

❈ Carpets ❈ Laminate ❈ Vinyls ❈ Real wood ❈ Wet room’s ❈ Kardeen ❈ Contract flooring ❈ Safety floors

FREE MEASURING AND QUOTATIONS WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON PRICES!

Professional fitters since 1991

OFFER - 3 BEDROOM HOUSE JUST £650

OAP’s we even move furniture for you!

Find us on Cain&sons carpets

Bagley Drive, Brooklands, Wellington, TF1 3NP Tel: 01952

877012

· Mob: 07976

556460

06 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 06 News.indd 1

28/04/2017 22:44

Coat of Arms award for Ross

BLOMBERG FREESTANDING FREESTANDING APPLIANCES... APPLIANCES... BLOMBERG

WITH 3 3 YEAR YEAR WITH * * WARRANTY WARRANTY FOR EXTRA PEACE OF MIND FOR EXTRA PEACE OF MIND

Mayor of Wellington Phil Morris-Jones presents Ross Vickers with a commemorative Wellington Coat of Arms award as a thank you for services and support given to the Town Council.

Headline howler!

FROM YOUR YOUR LOCAL LOCAL ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL Superhero Superhero !! FROM

Alot of they’re mistake’s

by Rob Davis I must confess, I cannot bear to see misused their, there and they’re; I’d give the culprits such a telling for assassinating English Spelling. THERE are opportunities to see as THEIR mistakes are bound to be noticed by the passing crowd and that THEY’RE simply not allowed. I ﬁnd a lot of alot used it’s sad to see such terms abused; assign some items with “allot”, but “alot” is just best forgot. I could of other horrors tell, “abit” is bad, as is “aswell”; A bit means just a small amount, as well as being less to count.

Thanks to Rob Davis fo r sending us th is fantastic vers e following ou r headline how ler on the front page of the April issue!

But even worse, I hate to see the poor misplaced apostrophe which, when mistaken for a plural abounds on signs, urban and rural. Sale’s and good’s are alway’s wrong the apostrophe does not here belong! Take note of the simple lesson; the apostrophe should show possession. Dog’s dinner equals food of hound, Gravity’s pull brings you to ground. Car’s long journey, sky’s bright star; nature’s way is how things are. The other use is well beﬁtted to signify some text omitted; can’t, won’t, or bread’n’jam B’ham meaning Birmingham. The golden rule is, when in doubt the apostrophe is best left out, for thus you have no fear or terrors because you’ll make far fewer errors.

1400 Spin 8kg Washing Machine 1400 Spin 8kg Washing Machine Model No: LWF28441W Model No:Inverter LWF28441W • Optima Motor (10yr Warranty) •• Optima Inverter Inc Motor (10yr Warranty) 16 Programmes Hand Wash •• 16 Programmes IncinHand Wash Fast Full Load 8kg 32 Mins •• Fast Full LoadH85xW60XD54cm 8kg in 32 Mins Dimensions: • Dimensions: H85xW60XD54cm Only Only

£369 £369

.99 .99

Built In 13 Place Setting Dishwasher Built In 13 Place Setting Dishwasher Model No: LDVN2284 Model No: LDVN2284

• Optima Inverter Motor (10yr Warranty) InverterLow Motor (10yrConsumption, Warranty) • Optima 8 Programmes, Water Low Programmes, Low Water Consumption, Low • 8Noise Height Adjustable Upper Basket Noise • Adjustable Upper Basket • Height Dimensions: H82xW60XD55cm • Dimensions: H82xW60XD55cm Only Only

£399 £399

.99 .99

Capital Appliance Centre Ltd Capital Appliance Centre Ltd Head Office: Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD Tel: 01902 752764 Kingswinford: The Rotunda, Kingswinford DY69HD 9JL Tel: Head Office: Macrome Road,Townsend Claregate,Place, Wolverhampton, WV6 Tel: 01384 01902 271812 752764 Shrewsbury: Unit Vanguard Way, Harlescott, ShrewsburyDY6 SY1 9JL 3TGTel: Tel:01384 01743271812 463261 Kingswinford: The26 Rotunda, Townsend Place, Kingswinford Dudley: 3 Castle Dudley,Way, DY1 Harlescott, 1LA Tel: 01384 234620 SY1 3TG Tel: 01743 463261 Shrewsbury: UnitStreet, 26 Vanguard Shrewsbury Telford: 3Castle Telford TF1Tel: 6GJ01384 Tel: 01952 257007 Dudley: CastleStreet, Street,Hadley, Dudley, DY1 1LA 234620 Telford: Castle Street, Hadley, Telford TF1 6GJ Tel: 01952 257007

www.capitalappliances.co.uk www.capitalappliances.co.uk

/CapitalApplianceCentre /CapitalApplianceCentre

*T&C’s apply. Select Products Only. Sold as an agent for Euronics Limited. All rights *T&C’s apply. Selectare Products Sold as an agent for Euronics Limited. All rights reserved. All offers subject Only. to availability while stocks last. Delivery & Installation reserved. All offers subject to availability whilePrices stockscorrect last. Delivery charges may applyare Exclusions and Radius Apply. at time & ofInstallation print but charges may apply Exclusions Radius Apply. Prices correct time of print but can be subject to change. See inand store for full details. Images for at illustration purposes can be Copyright subject to change. in store for E&OE full details. illustration only. EuronicsSee 2016. October 2016.Images Savingfor compared to apurposes higher only. price Copyright Euronics October 2016. unless Savingotherwise comparedstated. to a higher charged for 282016. days in the lastE&OE six months price charged for 28 days in the last six months unless otherwise stated. www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 07

7 Adverts and edit.indd 1

28/04/2017 18:31

George

EVANS

ADVENTURES

IN OLD AGE . . W

HEN YOU’RE ‘getting on a bit’, like me, quite small things can seem like big adventures. Walking through Wellington market last Saturday was a great adventure because I’d not been able to do that for the last ﬁve months. Here are some of my recent adventures from getting out of

hospital last October to revisiting Wellington town centre the following April. I’m writing in the hope it may help interested readers to understand some situations my family and I had to cope with and learn as we went along. When you’re in hospital, however grateful you are for the care and treatment you get, the most important thing is to get out and go home. This is nothing like as easy as it sounds. Preparing for a patient who needs lots of help and facilities

not wanted before. The authorities want you to go home or if that’s not possible then to a nursing home because it’s much cheaper than keeping you in hospital. Providing 24/7 care isn’t easy at home; it’s a huge commitment for anyone to take on. I have done this for my wife and found I needed a lot of help from family and friends and Hospice at Home. They

The Wrekin’s favourite columnist! 8, 9 George Evans.indd 1

27/04/2017 19:01

Can you help David with some family history? were wonderful and without them I don’t think I could have survived. The hospital can’t release you until they are assured by a report from Social Services that it is safe to do so. My family were wonderful and put in a lot of work organising and making sure everything and everyone was in place. Two of my family moved in with me when I came home and brought lots of equipment, clothes and things while I was unable to think for myself so that as I came round I thought my home had been greatly changed, not realising it had to be. I needed some carers and it was decided that meant four visits a day from some professionals. As luck would have it a ﬁrm called Phoenix Care came. They just could not have been better and they are still with me. Phoenix have around 30 carers and I have come to know about a dozen of them well. They’re all quite different characters of course but contrary to some tales I’ve heard these are all carers who do really care. I have nothing but praise for Jo the boss and all the ‘girls’ (they don’t mind that). They are so friendly, helpful and caring that I look forward to their visits. Of course, like all of us, they prefer their clients to care for them too. It’s easy to get grumpy when lots of your body-parts hurt and nothing seems to go right; some of their clients are like that. I try to stay as cheerful as possible; after all I’m the author of a book called ‘How to be a Happy Old Man’. I don’t know anything about the other care ﬁrms in our area but I’d have no hesitation in recommending Phoenix to anyone who will treat the girls well. I can only just afford my contribution but don’t begrudge it at all. Social Services also get a lot of grumbles. Many of the grumbles are unfair in my experience. I have found them always (well, almost always) as helpful as it is possible for them to be. I’ve been supplied with a Zimmer frame, a cushion, an air bed, a chair for my wash basin, a bath seat, a trolley and most recently a walking aid. All these have helped my recovery and I’m grateful for them. It’s my policy to exercise as much as possible and work my way back to health and up to now it

has been working. Of course I’m conscious that I cost less at home than in hospital blocking a bed and I’m paying some of the cost myself but despite the council suffering government cuts the staff have done very well indeed. I didn’t realise how good they could be. My recent walking aid has, with some effort, enabled me to walk down to the pub/ shop/subway/letterbox complex down the road when I can ﬁnd someone to accompany me and I’m absolutely delighted. My other health connected recent problem has been to know who my GP is. I couldn’t say anything last time I wrote on this subject because there was nobody I could praise. Now at last I have a medical practice and things are better. I had been one of the 8,000 patients left without a GP when Malling Health Wrekin collapsed and I opted for Shawbirch, who rejected me as not in their area. Eventually Wellington Practice accepted me and one of their leading GPs visited me promptly. Of course they, like everyone else, have too few doctors and too many patients and I’m going to have to wait for an appointment but their receptionists seem helpful and friendly. Having spent this morning ringing several ‘ofﬁcial’ numbers I can’t help wondering if their answering system is aimed at wasting the longest possible time for their callers. It certainly seems like that and when you’ve struggled through “if you want this, press that…” and “calls are recorded…” many of the staff who eventually answer the phone seem to expect you to be bad tempered. When they realise you have no quarrel with them they revert to being charming and helpful. There are huge advantages in living at home and out of hospital but to get out as quickly as I did great efforts must be made by your family to make your home able to cope with your many extra needs. To improve your health quickly you have to make a big effort too. I’ve found it best to have tiny ambitions and work towards them, getting as much exercise as possible. Many people deserve to be thanked, including my family, many friends and neighbours, the Princess Royal, the Phoenix care girls, Social Services and my new GP.

Hi James I have always had an interest in Wellington as my maternal grandparents lived at 13 Glebe Street before and during the First World War. My granfather was a Sergeant in the KSLI and survived four years at the front. Researching a bit further back to the 1891 Census, I ﬁnd that my great grandfather, James Moore was a licenced hostelier and lived at No. 1 High Street, Wellington. I understand this to be the Three Crowns in High Street. The family resided there, great Granfather James with his wife Sarah and their seven children of which my grandfather was the third son. Also in residence were a servant and several lodgers. I have found a modernish photo of the Three Crowns as a pub but believe it is now new houses? I wonder if you know of any old locals who may remember obviously not the 1890’s but perhaps a little nearer the present day. Congratulations on an enthralling magazine! David Finch, Worfield

Banish limescale from your home We are Aquasoft Systems Ltd, a local family business with over 40 years experience in the installation and maintenance of domestic and commercial water softeners and drinking water filters. We pride ourselves on providing a professional and friendly service and are a small company which means you know who you are dealing with, the same voice on the end of the phone and the same face at the door.

The TwinTec S3 Water Softener reduces damage and improves efficiency of your boiler We cover all of the following Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Hertfordshire, Worcestershire and the surrounding areas.

01952 228844

enquiries@aquasoftsystems.co.uk www.aquasoft.twintec.com Unit 2, Bradley Road Industrial Estate, Donnington Wood, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 7RG

‘SMALL JOBS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME WITH’

COPELAND ELECTRICALS ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL ● NO CALL OUT CHARGE WORK CARRIED OUT ● 24 Hour / 7 days a week PART P BUILDING REGULATIONS ● Local Low Cost Repairs REGISTERED WITH ● Over 10 years experience ● Efficient / Reliable Special Rates ● FREE QUOTES for the ● Fully Insured Elderly

FANTASTIC SPRING OFFERS ON LIGHTING & ACCESSORIES

CALL US FOR A COMPETITIVE QUOTE TODAY - PRICES START FROM ONLY £30

07866

CALL DAVE ON: 455993 OR 01952

404635

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 09

8, 9 George Evans.indd 2

27/04/2017 19:02

YOUR WELLINGTON Key notes from the Wellington Town Council Annual report April 2017

An honour to represent Wellington says Mayor

T HAS been an honour to represent Wellington as Town Mayor over the past year, my second in a two-year term. This year alone I have attended 92 ofﬁcial engagements, some were important annual civic events such as Remembrance services, Mayor-Making ceremonies, civic services and carol concerts. Other less formal annual events included the Lions Club on Wheels the Bailey Mile, the Best Dressed Window and fantastic social events such as the Festival and Christmas lights switch on. Details of all of my engagements can be obtained from the Town Council Ofﬁces. My chosen charities for this year have been the 2nd Wellington Scouts and Hilbrae Dog Rescue both well

deserving fantastic organisations. I am Chairman of the Town Council as well as the Mayor, which means I preside over its Full Council meetings and act as the main link between councillors and the paid officers of the Council. I am very proud of the work of our council this year, particularly for taking on extra responsibilities such as our new mobile Wellington Environmental Services Team, flower planting at the Bowring and winning again a Platinum Award for our Parade toilets these are just examples of how the Council is becoming a much more significant organisation, working hard to protect services that are important to local people. Sadly two hardworking Councillors have resigned recently, Cllrs Tillotson and Perkins. Their contributions and skills will be greatly missed. Finally I would like to thank all my fellow Councillors and officers for making my 2 year term such a happy and positive experience.

Policy and Resources Committee Report - by Chairman Stephen deLauney Police Community Support Oﬃcer – The joint agreement with Newport Town Council to partially fund a post to work part time in both Newport and Wellington will go ahead for an initial period of 12 months. Wellington Town Centre Development, work continues with the delivery of the Vision 2020 outcomes on a payment by results basis. Parade Public Toilets The Council now take full responsibility for the public toilets situated in the Parade adjacent to the Bus Station. The

Council are extremely proud of these toilets and their impressive standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Bowring - Our new Tenant at the Café is set to continue with the lease and a Café opening timetable is expected to be issued shortly. The Town Council has also agreed to a 6 year deal to continue planting ﬂowers. Town Centre Street Parking The Council again was seeking steps to exercise control over illegal and dangerous on street car parking by bringing incidents to the attention of the Police and liaising closely with

local planners. The Council has also agreed with the Borough to install ticket machines on car parks shorty but parking up to 3 hours would remain free. Further discussion about long stay parking would happen later in the year. Street Cleaning and Environmental Services – The Council has previously contributed around £50,000 towards keeping the streets of Wellington clean and tidy. The Council agreed to work with the Borough to provide a Wellington Environmental Services Team which, for the same cost will be mobile.

The latest news and events from Wellington Town Council

During 2015-2016 grants were awarded to the following Community Organisations Wellington Chamber of Commerce Wellington Methodist Church and Centre Shropshire Kidney Patients Association Wellington Civic Society Samaritans of Telford Christ Church Wellington Day Centre 2nd Wellington Old Boys Belmont Community Hall Friday Night Youth Club T&W Arthritis Support Group Wellington LA21 Home-Start Telford & Wrekin Noor Women’s Group Wellington Cottage Care Trust Wellington Walkers are Welcome Wrekin & Telford Singers Friends Dothill Primary School Polish Saturday School Wellington Cricket Club Wellington History Group

PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT BY CHAIRMAN CLLR JOHN ALVEY The Planning Committee’s main duty is to carry out the Council’s function as a statutory consultee on planning matters. In the past year, we have: considered 115 planning applications and submitted our comments to the Planning Authority. These included ongoing major developments such as the Land between Arleston Lane and Dawley Road, Wellington. This committee led the Council’s efforts to campaign for trafﬁc improvements in the area and contributed comments on the draft Local Plan;

We have highlighted concerns about the state of local roads and footpaths; and contributed to the Council’s Planning and Environment. The Committee commented on Street Trading Consent Applications and on proposals for Street Naming received from the Borough Council. My thanks to the Committee and to its Clerk during the year. At the commencement of the Council Year Cllr Lisa Tillotson was elected as Chairman of the Committee however she unfortunately resigned as a Councillor on 1 March

2017 due to work commitments. The Committee was also disappointed to lose another longstanding member of the Committee with the resignation of Cllr Ralph Perkins who resigned on the 9 March 2017. Cllr Perkins had served as the Committee’s Chairman for a number of years. I was elected as Chairman of the Committee at the meeting held on 22 March 2017, at the same meeting Cllr Dorothy Roberts was elected as Deputy Chairman.

www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk 10 Wellington Town Council.indd 1

29/04/2017 03:22

Wrekin News has received th is wonderful poem from John Martin of Muxton who was a rece nt visitor to the Severn Va lle Railway in Bridg y north with his family .

Making memories with my grandson Last week we went to Bridgnorth mum took us in the car. She sat in the front with Grandad, in the back, me and Grandma.

Just after leaving Bewdley, you will have a nice surprise. As you look down from the train you wont believe your eyes.

We were going on the steam train, we have been on one before. I was so excited, I could not clap no more.

For there’s rhino’s and there’s elephants. And a herd of lovely deer, all of them grazing peacefully. Not showing any fear.

Grandma bought the tickets, and on the train we got, the train left Bridgnorth station, ten fifty on the dot. We settled in the carriage, and closed the door up tight. I said that I was hungry, I’d like a little bite.

The West Midlands Safari Park, that we have just passed through for animals with all that space, it’s better than a zoo.

Win tickets to see Sir Cliff Richard in concert!

IR CLIFF Richard embarkes on his Just Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll UK 2017 tour in June. Sir Cliff will be joined on the tour by the world's most successful musical theatre group Collabro. They will be performing at some of the UK's most beautiful castles and historic locations for a series of fully seated outdoor concerts. Tickets are on sale now from: www.livenation.co.uk Plus

Collabro CD's to be won!

Mum gave me a sausage roll, and a sandwich made with ham. They were so delicious, I’m glad that they weren’t jam. When we looked through the windows, There were lots of things to see. We saw some sheep and horses, and a pheasant in a tree. We saw the river Severn, as we travelled down the line, and rows and rows of caravans, all looking spruce and fine. We went through lots of stations, all of them very old. The largest one was Bewdley, well that’s what I was told.

About five minutes later, after leaving west midlands park we went into a tunnel, which was very very dark. I sat close to my mummy, she held me very tight. I was more than happy, when we came back to into light. We finished at Kidderminster at the end of the line. The severn valley railway, is oh so very fine. We made the return journey, in just over than an hour, and arrived back home in Muxton, at twenty five to four. Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem with our readers John, it sounds like you all had a fantastic day out . . .

Wednesday 21st June Walcot Hall, Shropshire Wrekin News is delighted to announce that we have a pair of tickets for Sir Cliﬀ's concert on Wednesday 21st June at Walcot Hall near Shrewsbury to be won. We also have some signed Collabro CD's to be won too! HOW TO ENTER All you have to do to enter our prize give-a-way is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, Sir Cliﬀ Tickets, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY. Or email your details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk Closing Date - Wednesday 24th May 2017 Our standard terms and conditions of entry that can be found on the Wrekin News website apply.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 11

11 News.indd 1

27/04/2017 22:34

ADVERTORIAL

News from your hospitals

Five star hat-trick for Lioncourt Homes

Bringing you updates from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH):

£1 million funding boost for A&Es Our A&Es at PRH and RSH have received £1million funding from the Government.

HE INVESTMENT has been announced by the Department of Health. Nationally £55.98 million of a total of £100 million A&E capital funding outlined in the spring budget by the Chancellor Philip Hammond has been awarded to trusts to support emergency departments ahead of next winter. SaTH is one of 70 Trusts to be awarded

funding which will be used by hospitals to meet the 95 per cent standard of admitting, transferring, or discharging patients within four hours by ensuring patients are treated in the most appropriate setting. The plans outlined by trusts nationally include primary care streaming and colocating GP practices within A&E departments to ensure patients are treated in the most appropriate setting.

Delight as Cancer App shortlisted for prestigious Patient Safety Award An interactive app developed to help cancer patients at Shropshire’s two acute hospitals is among the front runners to lift a prestigious Patient Safety Award. SaTH has been shortlisted for the Cancer Care Award for creating an app that helps patients understand and monitor the side effects of chemotherapy treatment and the long-term follow-up of prostate cancer. The awards – which will be presented at a gala dinner in Manchester on Tuesday 4 July – are among the most celebrated in UK Healthcare. The app, which was funded by the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, was launched at RSH in December 2016. Simon Wright, Chief Executive, said: “I am very proud that SaTH has been shortlisted in the Cancer Care category at this year’s Patient Safety Awards, and would like to offer my congratulations to everyone who has been involved with the development and creation of the app.”

Staff don running shoes to complete London Marathon Two members of staff at SaTH ran in the London Marathon. Jon Lacy-Colson, General and Colorectal Surgeon; and Phil Fewtrell, Assistant Business Manager for Surgery, took to the start line of the famous race on 23 April. Prior to the run Jon Lacy-Colson completed what surely must be one of the wackiest fundraisers by any of our staff. Jon cycled 26.2 miles on a penny farthing to raise money for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. Jon, a General and Colorectal Surgeon, cycled 46 laps of the race track at Shrewsbury Sports Village as part of his fundraising efforts. Jon completed the Marathon in 4hrs 19mins 47secs and Phil completed it in 3hrs 36mins 9secs. Congratulations to the duo – and everyone else who took part in the London Marathon.

Lioncourt Homes is celebrating after being awarded the maximum 5 Star Quality rating in the annual Home Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction survey for the third consecutive year. The survey is designed to provide home buyers with information about home builders in order to help guide their purchasing decision. It also promotes excellent levels of service to be delivered by developers by measuring several areas including whether the home was completed on time, the cleanliness of the home on move in day, the information provided about the home and the layout of the home. Cole Cole, Chief Executive of Lioncourt Homes commented: ‘We are all extremely proud to have received this prestigious accolade for the third year. To retain our ﬁve-star rating during a period of record growth for Lioncourt Homes demonstrates the hard work and commitment of everyone in the company to keep excellent standards of customer service at the forefront of our priorities. We are delighted to be one of only 15 house builders in the country to be awarded ﬁve stars again this year.’ The results highlight that over 90% of Lioncourt customers have said that they would recommend Lioncourt Homes to a friend. In the local area, the multi award winning house builder has an impressive portfolio of developments including Linley Grange in the small market town of Broseley and Heritage View located in Hadley. The company will also soon be opening the doors to their stunning new show home at Daisy Park, Priorslee, which will comprise of 40 new homes including two and three bedroom properties in a range of styles.

Georgia’s Cycling Challenge June 10th

The website for this year’s Cycling Challenge went live on the 18th March, and can be found linked to our Facebook page. We’ve already had a fantastic response and can’t wait to see you all there! This time around it will be based at the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) in Coalport. There will be 3 different rides; a family ride which is totally off road to the Town Park (10 miles), a 25 miler, and a 50 miler. Additionally, there will be entertainment from 12 onwards from the YHA. This is all in association with the ‘Wheely Fun Day’.

12 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 12 News NHS.indd 1

28/04/2017 18:04

Allums The Jewellers NO JOB TOO L YOUR SMALL, FOR AL HES TC CA & PS AS CL SILVER, IN GOLD AND THE ALL DONE ON ES IS EM PR

JEWELLERY CLEARANCE ON TO OLD STOCK, UP 45% OFF R.R.P

SPRING is now here . . . so why not bring out your old jewellery? Have it Spring cleaned or repaired, here at Allums workshop your local Jeweller will spruce it up like new!

COME AND HAVE A LOOK WHILE STOCKS LAST!

Re-polish & Rhodium plating; from £25.00 · 9ct Gold fine chains repaired; from £15.00 · Hollow chains; from £20.00 · Ring sizing; from £25.00 (depending on carat) · Silver jewellery repaired; from £12.00

The largest selection of Gold & Silver second hand, pre-loved jewellery in stock, in Shropshire. Pick up a bargain today!

Watch batteries fitted from £3.00 For all your jewellery repairs from £5.00

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

We’ll buy yours: when you buy ours! Move up the easy way with Part Exchange* Trade in your old home for a brand new Five Star Award winning home at Heritage View. Save on hassle and save on Estate Agents fees. And if you reserve now, save on carpets too! At Heritage View you’ll find a range of 3 and 4 bedroom homes all built to Lioncourt Homes’ award winning standards.

2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes available from £130,000 to £300,000 including free fitted carpets*

Help to Buy

Heritage View, Sommerfeld Road, Hadley, Telford, TF1 5RY Two stunning new showhomes now open daily 10am to 5.30pm Call: 0845 873 2893†

www.lioncourthomes.com *Part exchange available on selected plots only and subject to terms & conditions. Please ask our sales negotiator for full details. Help to Buy cannot be used in conjuction with Part Exchange. The pictures shown are indicative images of Lioncourt homes. As we do our best to build a wide variety of homes on every development, the external materials, design features, and landscaping may differ to those shown in the image. Help to Buy is a government-led scheme and availability is subject to qualification. †Calls will be charged at seven pence per minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Prices and offers correct at time of print.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 13

13 Adverts.indd 1

27/04/2017 17:05

interview From Russell Square to Albert Square Richard Worton chats to Telford’s TV and radio scriptwriter Tim Stimpson who has recently taken on his highest profile role to date working on BBC One’s flagship drama series EastEnders.

HE ADVISORS working in Madeley’s Job Centre had likely never heard it before, nor since, but when 23 years old Tim Stimpson went to sign on in the summer of 2002, when asked “what type of job are you looking for?” the Birmingham University graduate replied “I’d like to be a playwright”. 14 years later, he has ‘playwright’ on his CV, but there’s also a hugely successful spell writing for BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Archers’ and a role as deputy chair of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain. However, he’s just taken on his highest proﬁle role to date, as a scriptwriter on BBC One’s ﬂagship drama series ‘EastEnders’.

Sutton Hill

So, how did the boy brought up in Sutton Hill ﬁnd his way to Albert Square, and what was it that brought him back to Telford at the end of March for an evening at Telford’s Whitehouse Hotel? “My Dad got a job at Telford Development Corporation, so my parents moved up in the early 1970s, which is how we ended up in Telford, and they still live here, in the same house in Sutton Hill.” “My ﬁrst school was Alexander Fleming on Sutton Hill, then aged 7, I moved to Castle House School in Newport, my secondary school was Wolverhampton Grammar School. My parents enjoy the theatre, and took me there from an early age. I’m told I used to love watching ‘Fame’ (the TV show), so aged 6 or 7, I ended up going to Gaston Payne Dance School in Wellington. I went for about 5 years, but I was never a very good dancer. I did a few shows and pantomimes at Oakengates Theatre, and I played the lead in ‘Smike’ (a musical based on Charles Dickens’ ‘Nicholas Nickleby’) when I was about 11.” “At secondary school I carried on acting in plays. Then, in sixth form, I directed ‘Up and Under’, the John Godber play about an amateur rugby team, which was all good fun.” With family here, Tim is back in the county from time to time; what’s his impression of Telford in 2017, and are his old haunts still intact? “Telford hasn’t changed a huge amount. My fondest memories were of cycling down to the

Ironbridge Gorge a lot; you could walk from our house, across the golf course at Great Hay and down the Hay Inclined Plane to Coalport, so I’d do that and go on early pub crawls as a teenager in the Gorge. I’d cycle along the Silkin Way and into town also”.

University

Aged 18, university beckoned. Tim attended Birmingham, and fate was ushering him closer towards writing for a living. “My course had a playwriting module, and the tutor, Mark Ravenhill, was one of the coolest names in contemporary theatre at the time; I wanted to be taught by him. I was an English and Drama student, and I’d act in plays written by those on the course. I thought “I’m kind of interested in this writing malarkey, so I though “let’s stay on, take the Masters in Playwriting Studies and see where it gets me”.

The Archers

It got Tim a position as one of the youngest writers in the history of ‘The Archers’, though he was involved with the show before obtaining his Masters, studying and writing transcripts simultaneously. Were there indications then that there’d be an eventual offer of fulltime work? “I’ve always just taken opportunities as they’ve arrived. I did work experience on the show, and spent a day in the editing studio. The person I was with stepped out to do something and I just took it upon myself to carry

14 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 14, 15 Interview.indd 1

28/04/2017 14:47

on. When they came back I was able to say “The editing’s all done”. They were obviously surprised, and although I made quite an impression, I was just being enthusiastic and naïve.” “The show’s producers were looking for younger writers and someone said “Why don’t you give it a go?” I thought “why not?” I’d ﬁnished my degree, was back in Telford, wondering where I was going to ﬁnd opportunities, they then phoned to invite me to join the team.”

Glastonbury

Was Tim well versed in the show beforehand? “My Mum was a huge fan, it was always on in the house, but I spent most of my childhood saying “Oh Mum, turn this rubbish off, it’s awful”, but that meant I was familiar with tone of it. As I arrived we’d had our first main character come out as gay (Adam Macy); the show had started to move in a more dramatic direction, so I had quite a juicy contemporary storyline to deal with. Then, in my Friday episode, Tom Archer was taking his sausages to the Glastonbury festival, selling hot dogs, with scenes to be recorded on site. In my first week I got free tickets to Glastonbury and spent my Friday going around recording scenes; John Peel (the legendary Radio 1 DJ and broadcaster) was following us around, doing a TV item about The Archers coming to Glastonbury. He told me “I’ve been told I have to refer to you as “Young Tim”! There was so much love for him at Glastonbury, it as incredible being there with him, like walking around with the Pied Piper. People would run up hand him their demo tapes. It was an extraordinary first week!”

Helen and Rob

The ‘Helen and Rob’ storyline that really thrust Tim into the limelight involved Rob Titchener’s psychological abuse of his new wife, Helen. The storyline climaxed with Helen stabbing Rob and being tried for attempted murder. Listeners were gripped, and it crossed over into the public consciousness, earning widespread praise for its handling of the issue of domestic abuse. It is also the reason that Tim was invited, by Councillor Rae Evans, the current Mayor of Telford and Wrekin, to be the main speaker at an evening to raise funds in support of her nominated charities, raising awareness of and providing support to victims. Tim must surely ﬁnd it rewarding to be known as the writer who elicited that reaction?” Yes, it’s incredibly satisfying.” Referring back to the Adam Macy storyline, Tim recalls in his ﬁrst week being passed a letter from a gay man, who said “Thank you so much for

that episode, if only it had been broadcast ten years ago it would have made my life so much easier”. I think from pretty early on in my career that made me realise the impact that telling stories can have. It’s 12½ minutes per night essentially eavesdropping on a day in the life of the characters, so when you play those dramatic storylines it really does resonate.” When Sean O’Connor, Tim’s producer on ‘The Archers’ for three years, left for a similar role on ‘EastEnders’, it was natural for him to take Tim along with him. We spoke on 5th April, the evening after his ﬁrst episode was broadcast, and he told me “I’ve had some nice comments from friends, but I tend to stay away from any form of social media in trying to gauge a reaction; as it’s always the negative comments you remember. Sean seems happy with it. I texted him after the episode, it was almost a year to the day since the episode of The Archers when Helen stabbed Rob, so it’s quite a ride we’ve been on in those 12 months.”

EastEnders

EastEnders is an iconic show; does Tim ever stop and pinch himself? “It’s incredible to be involved. I was going around the set, and the moment I was most excited about was standing in the hallway of the Queen Vic pub, “Wow, I’m here, I’m by the crisp boxes!” Tim chuckled with laughter at the recollection. With Tim’s wife Ruth and daughter Josie settled in Birmingham, he makes regular trips to the set, based in Elstree, Hertfordshire, from his Midlands base. Aside from ‘EastEnders’ he has ideas for radio plays, TV and theatre in the pipeline. “I’m involved in a playwright collective called Bold Text, and we regularly put on performances at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. It’s still my ﬁrst love; my dream would be to have a major theatrical production.”

T: 01952 820810 62 High Street Newport TF10 7AQ

SPECIAL OFFER! May 50% off a child’s meal with any full paying adult with this advert

Food served Mon - 10am - 3pm Tue-Thu - 10am - 6pm Fri-Sat - 10am - 8pm Sun - 12pm -4pm

(Bookings required for Parties)

Open Late nights till 2am Fri & Sat Live Music every last Friday of the month Look out for our Theme Nights!

BOOK YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION AT THE BARLEY IDEAL VENUE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES, CHRISTENINGS, ETC.. Breakfasts Served from 10am - 12pm

NEW MENU

www.thebarleynewport.co.uk

STUBLEY’S

WAREHOUSE

FURNITURE SUPPLIERS Est.1977

Be Brave

So, does he have words of advice for other budding performers or writers? “Do your best to make opportunities happen, and grab them when they pass by. Don’t be retiring, be brave and put yourself out there, as that’s the way you learn.” From Russell Square, Madeley to Albert Square, Walford, Tim Stimpson looks set to write his name larger still… Richard Worton is 48 years old, born and raised in Wellington and has a keen interest in telling the stories of people living within sight of the Wrekin.

@PaperBucksWriter

Support your local independent shop . . .

NEW FIRESIDE CHAIRS, OAK AND BEDS NOW IN STOCK *SPECIAL OFFERS FOR EASTER*

www.stubleys.co.uk CHURCH STREET, WELLINGTON

TEL: 01952 257610 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 15

14, 15 Interview.indd 2

28/04/2017 14:47

Spotlight on

Wellington W

ELLINGTON town centre is on course for a change with upcoming events and new start-up businesses injecting life into the area. Saturday 10th June will see the Wellington’s Midsummer Fayre celebrate its tenth anniversary, thanks to the support of Wellington Town Council, Wellington Market Company and Parry Carver Solicitors. As they put the final touches to this year’s programme, organisers are promising visitors a day of good food, good company and great entertainment. Started in its current form a decade ago by voluntary group Wellington H2A in collaboration with All Saints Church, the event is inspired by much older events, including the June fairs first recorded in the town’s Market Charter of 1244. Throughout the day, the church lawns will serve as an open-air tea room and market, with over forty stalls offering everything from a farmer’s hog roast and ice cream to vintage homeware and hand-turned wooden goods. Four local choirs will be providing the music alongside Wellington Brass Band, Odd Socks Folk Band and the Oswestry Street Band. The Ironmen and Severn Gilders, meanwhile, will be bringing Market Square to life with their lively Morris dancing, followed by fire-eating Jack the Jester. At 1pm the day will take a Georgian turn as the costumed ‘Jubilee Procession’ makes its way around the centre of the town, based on a procession first recorded at the Wellington Jubilee pageant of 1773. Organiser Rob Francis said: “For us, the best thing about the event is the atmosphere it creates right in the historic heart of the town. “Every year, people tell us how happy it makes them to see Wellington put on a show like this and that’s really why we do it.” Wellington Town Centre has also seen a rise in new independent and artisan businesses which have been a welcomed addition, providing a range of different services for the community. Local entrepreneur Fay Easton said: “Honestly you can go around Wellington and find these little gems and it makes you wonder why no one has heard of them yet, it’s frustrating.” Fay has worked closely with start-ups and small businesses providing advice on how to grow and showcase their ideas. Suggestions have been made such as space sharing and pop up stalls, proving to be an effective and affordable practice. The Little Business Company have seen the benefits as 8 other independent businesses occupy the space and split the costs. Also pop up stalls allow businesses use the stalls to trial their products on the local community, as a way of promotion and gaining research. More initiatives are currently in the works such as ‘Foodie Street’ pop up stalls to display numerous styles of cuisine. Fay added: “I have worked closely with the Town Council and the local community for a while and they have been phenomenal to work with. “ It is amazing to see that a large group of people are fiercely passionate in seeing Wellington Town Centre flourish. The new surge in businesses hopes to bring more custom to the Wellington high street and restore Wellington to how it was in its prime. To find out more visit:

www.wellingtonsoup.org Written by Dwayne Forrester

16 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 16, 19, 20 Wellington Feature.indd 1

29/04/2017 03:19



  opportunity to donate to the Pilgrim Bandits Charity by buying your snacks from an authentic NAAFI (Naval, Army and Air Force Institutes) canteen. So, don your 1940s attire, and come down to Wellington Market to celebrate with us and raise money for a very worthy cause.

Wellington Market will again be hosting its popular 1940s themed day on Saturday 13th May 2017, 9am-4:30pm. Those who are regular visitors to the market will know that last year’s event was very successful and therefore it is with great pleasure that we will be running it again this year. There will be singers, vintage music, period food stalls and classic cars (both military and civilian), as well as various games throughout the day. There will also be the

The Pilgrim Bandits Charity was established by a small group of Special Forces veterans in 2007 with the sole aim of using their unique training and experience to help and inspire wounded soldiers to live life to the full. The mantra ‘Always a Little Further’ is core to the charity’s attitude, whether working with amputee men and women from the services directly or by utilising their experiences to inspire and encourage young people and children. The day will run in association with the Ironbridge World War Two weekend (27-28th May) - a community charity fundraising event in the historic Ironbridge Gorge. Wellington Market has run events

like this in the past as so is delighted to invite the 1940s day back to the market for another year. Wellington Market is a centre-piece of the town and brings the community together in events such as this, throughout the year. Established in 1244, the market operates within an indoor market hall, housing over 120 shops, as well as an outdoor market containing some of the finest food outlets around - everything from bakers to butchers, and fish to fruit & veg.

1940s Day SATURDAY 13TH MAY 0900 - 1630 THE MARKET AND MARKET SQUARE The popular 1940s Day returns to Wellington Market! Enjoy a fantastic live singer and lots of nostalgic fun. Classic vehicles, vintage fashion, costume performers and period food stalls. It’ll be a gas!

wellingtonindoormarket.co.uk

@WellingtonMrkt www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 17

17 Adverts.indd 1

27/04/2017 18:19

Lynda’s friendly and caring team ready to support you

N GREAT Britain, up until the 20th Century, it was local tradesmen who would ‘undertake’ to provide a cofﬁn for the burial of the dead in the local community this is the origin of the term ‘Undertaker’. They were carpenters and joiners, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, and the like. In 1885, Tom Edwards had a building, joinery and undertaking business in King Street, in the town of Wellington, Shropshire. Tom’s reputation as a ‘good undertaker’ grew, and whilst he maintained the joinery work, the undertaking side of the business expanded as did the reputation gained by consistently delivering a reliable and trustworthy service at the time of need. After Tom’s early death, his sons, William and Harry followed in their father’s footsteps, until William left to take charge of the Wellington ﬁre brigade, leaving Harry to run the business. The premises moving from King Street to High Street in this period. Harry’s three sons, Tom, Frank and Harry followed in the family business until after Harry died. In 1972, Michael Evans took over the day to day running of the business, until he retired in 2012, with his partners following on and maintaining superlative standards of care. Harry Edwards and Sons is now managed by Lynda Wall Dip FD, a local lady, with 25 years of experience within the funeral profession. Lynda and her friendly and caring team are available for funeral advice including repatriation, pre-paid funeral plans, headstones and memorials. Call them for information on: 01952 244949.

> L-R Carol, Lynda and Andrea

HE SHROPSHIRE FUNERAL PLAN is provided by experienced, local and qualified independent funeral professionals ~ experts in their field of work

The Shropshire Funeral Plan

For your complete peace of mind please talk to us and gain expert local advice regarding your every requirement. We are a telephone call away · A local Funeral Plan price · A local independent Funeral Director · Funds held in a Guaranteed Whole of Life Assurance Policy

The C J Williams Funeral Service of Telford Dawley Bank 01952 505835 Madeley 01952 580616

Shropshire Funeral Plans from £2,695

Harry Edwards of Wellington John Williams of Shifnal

01952 244949 01952 460669

www.theshropshirefuneralplan.com 18 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 18 Harry Edwards.indd 1

28/04/2017 09:47

Protect your family against rising funeral costs

T’S NEVER too early to protect your family against rising funeral costs Plan ahead and beat rising prices Funeral costs are increasing every year. You might be surprised to hear that the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK was £3,897.* That’s an increase of 103% since 2004, which is well above inflation and bank or building society interest rates. At this rate, in another 10 years the average cost of a funeral could be more than £7,000.** *Sun Life Cost of Dying Report 2016 **Co-operative Funercare projections based on Sun Life Cost of Dying Report 2016 Planning ahead makes financial sense None of us want our family and friends to face money worries in the future. With a pre-paid Funeral Plan from The Midcounties Co-operative in place, you fix the cost at today’s prices. So no matter how much funeral costs rise in the future, we guarantee that there will be nothing more to pay for what’s included in the plan when the time comes.

● We make it affordable with our range of payment options ● We’ll be here for you when you need us most As a member of the Midcounties Co-operative, you’ll earn Membership Points on the purchase of a Funeral Plan, which add up to a Share of the Proﬁts in November. To ﬁnd out more about range of Funeral Plans and choice of payment options, call into your local Midcounties Co-operative Funeralcare or go to:

www.coopfuneralplans.co.uk

● Beat rising funeral costs ● Your loved ones will be protected ● Give your family and friends peace of mind FNRWELL0417

We’ve found another way to reward our members Purchase a pre-paid Funeral Plan before 31st May 2017 and we’ll give you 5% of the cost back in Midcounties Co-operative Food Vouchers.*

Protect your family against rising funeral costs from £1,995.

To find out more, simply take this advert into your local Midcounties Co-operative Funeralcare. Bridgnorth - High Town 82 High Street, Shropshire, WV16 4DS T: 01746 766715

Bridgnorth - Low Town 58 Mill Street, Shropshire, WV15 5AG T: 01746 769025

Madeley Horseshoe Court, Anstice Square, Telford, TF7 5BD T: 01952 586956

Oakengates Limes Walk, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 6EP T: 01952 613660

Wellington 8 Market Square, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 1BP T: 01952 253188

*Terms & conditions apply, visit www.midcounties.coop/rewards for details.

Life’s more rewarding with Midcounties Membership

www.coopfuneralplans.co.uk www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 19

16, 19, 20 Wellington Feature.indd 2

28/04/2017 12:05

Festival of the Voice at Christ Church Wellington

HE re-opening of Christ Church Wellington after extensive refurbishment is being celebrated with a Festival of the Voice this summer. The acoustic has always favoured choral singing but the building had become a little dilapidated over the years. The freshly painted church with excellent facilities for choirs and audiences will be ﬁlled with the sounds of our local choirs. The area is blessed with a number of talented ensembles offering very varied styles of singing and choice of repertoire. The Festival starts with the barbershop style Telfordaires on June 3rd. If you have watched Gareth Malone’s latest series you may have

encountered this clever close harmony style. On June 10th New College Chorale is being joined by Telford and Wrekin Singers to offer a range of light classical choral works and folksong arrangements with some instrumental items. This collaboration should be a melodic and cheerful collaboration, just the thing for a summer evening. As a complete contrast, and to add wit and humour to the series the acclaimed trio Three Men in a Bow Tie are bringing their show to Christchurch on July 1st. If you missed getting a ticket when they last appeared in Wellington now is the chance to catch up with this amusing performance. Midlands Chorale has a ﬁne reputation for their singing and they are offering a lovely programme on July 8th which includes Russian choral masterpieces, as well as music by Tallis, Rheinberger, Samuel Barber and Frederick Delius. These will sound stunning in the church acoustic. The ﬁnal concert in the series on July 15th is given by Shifnal Male Voice Choir which should bring the festival to a rousing conclusion We want to encourage audiences to come and experience these varied styles of collaborative music making and appreciate the quality of amateur singers in Telford. Choir members are being tempted by a concession rate to listen to other choirs. This same concession is available for non-choir members purchasing tickets for all 4 choral concerts. All other tickets, including Three Men in a Bow Tie are £7.50. Interval refreshments are included. We hope that participants and audiences will enjoy singing and listening in the lovely surroundings of Christ Church Wellington. Contact choir members or email Christ Church with requests for tickets at oneparishevents@btinternet.com – or just pay on the door.

Artisan Markets MAY 20TH VEGGIE & VEGANFEST during UK National Vegetarian Week JUNE 24TH GOING GLOBAL a FoodieFest as the town celebrates ‘People of Wellington’ JULY 22ND SUMMER MARKET PICNIC with local food stalls and jazz band AUGUST 25TH ARTS & CRAFTS with local makers and talented designers

SEPTEMBER 23RD AUTUMN SIZZLE FOOD FEST sausages, cider and more.... OCTOBER 13TH - PLEASE NOTE THE OCTOBER EVENT will be held on Friday 13th as a STREET FOOD event to celebrate the Launch OF WELLINGTON FESTIVAL with a special FOODIE FRIDAY for the launch concert NOVEMBER 25TH WINTERFEST & Christmas Lights Switch On

Denture Repairs One Hour Express Same Day Call now: 01952 253522 01746 764334

Carline Electrical

Competitive prices Call now for a

FREE

estimate

Tel: 01952 257275 · Mobile: 07704803657 Domestic electrical installations, repairs, rewires, new sockets lights, CCTV Install, small jobs accepted Call Anthony Carline to dicuss your requirements Manor Rise, Wellington, Telford, TF1 2ND

www.carlineelectrical.co.uk

PART P REGISTERED

20 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 16, 19, 20 Wellington Feature.indd 3

29/04/2017 03:14

Select Joinery (Telford) Ltd BEFORE

• Bespoke Joinery

Products such as Conservatories, Entrance Porches, Patio Doors, Internal and External Doors and Frames, Sash and Traditional Windows, Staircases and many more products are all hand made on site. We also do Renovation of existing Staircases in Oak with Spindles or Glass Balustrading

• Cutting/Wood Machining Service

A cutting and machining service is available over the counter. Softwoods and hardwoods can be machined to match most profiles.

• Moulding Service

Most architectural mouldings, cornice, skirting boards, panel mouldings and architrave can be reproduced.

• Sheet Materials

Veneered MDF boards are available in various finishes. i.e. Oak, Ash, Sapele and many more. All boards can be cut to size.

AFTER

We can assist in all areas of design for all project sizes, and, to suit all budgets. Our wealth of knowledge and experience in the Joinery trade will ensure that your finished product is constructed of the correct material and more than fit for purpose.

You can find us at: Unit 23, Ketley Business Park, Waterloo Rd, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5JD

www.selectjoinery.co.uk email: sales@selectjoinery.com

FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL: 01952 249773 or call in for professional, friendly advice

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 21

21 Adverts.indd 1

27/04/2017 21:36

Dea r Editor . . .

Letters

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL MEMO RIES AND PICTURES THROUGH THE MOST POPULAR PAGES OF THE WREKIN NEWS

Football in the family blood!

OGER Pearce from Wroxeter visited the Wrekin News ofﬁces recently after seeing a picture of his father Gordon Pearce in the February issue. Gordon was a local businessman and big supporter of Wellington Town. He held various positions within the club including treasurer and latterly vice-chairman before his death in 1977. It was former Wellington Town goalkeeper Cyril Poole who brought the picture in for print and Roger kindly added a few missing names including; Albert Ferrington (back row, second left). Albert was a local haulier who also provided the club with the team bus during the late 1940’s. Sitting in the centre row was O.L Saxton (Les), the club secretary, Tom Stone (chairman) and Harry Hodgson the club president and managing director of Sankeys. Gordon wasn’t the only Pearce to be involved with Wellington Town as his father before him, Arthur was also a big supporter of the club. Arthur was the founder of Arthur Pearce & Sons in Market Street, Wellington and held various positions on the club’s committee. He is pictured with the team and fellow club ofﬁcials on the top photo which dates back to the 1909-1910 season.

Roger’s picture of Wellington Town 1909/1910 season which features his grandfather Arthur

Cyril’s Wellington Town picture featuring Roger’s father Gordon Pearce

Pictured as follows: Back row: A. Colley, H. Bailey, E. Morris, J. Churm, W. Ball, J. Jones, T. Nevison, J. Foulkes, H.Rowbetham and H. Wat. Middle row: E. Picken, A. Pearce, T. Moss, J.E. Morris, B.Davies, T. Stevens, F. Arnold and H. Woodﬁne. Front row: J. Wilock, F. Jukes, A.Condrey, N.Rhodes and Banks.

We love hearing from you!

For 16 years Wrekin News has printed pages and pages of your letters and pictures and we want to publish more! Please keep our editor’s inbox full and send your letters and pictures to: The Editor, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1RY or email your contributions to: james@plus2media.co.uk 22 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Letters.indd 1

29/04/2017 03:22

Wellington History Group

Mapping out Wellington

T WAS interesting to see, in the last issue of Wrekin News, that on the opposite page to our Introduction was a sketch map showing Jarrats Lane. This provides an ideal opportunity to tell all your readers some details of the original map; which was hanging in the Meeting Room at Wellington Library until recently and will be returned to the walls of the Community History area in the rearranged Library very soon. The Wellington History Group was very fortunate to secure three original Victorian maps donated by Lanyon Bowdler when their Wellington Ofﬁce closed. The WHG had the maps framed and negotiated with the Library to have them displayed for all to see. The three maps are; A Plan of the Parish of Wellington; A 1840 Wellington Township Tithe Plan; and the Wellington Street Plan. I would recommend anybody to go and look closely at these maps – they are unique and of great historical importance to the town.

However we have to be careful about accepting everything shown, particularly when additions are made in pencil or ink. In the case of the one showing Jarrats Lane, dated 1832 in the last Wrekin News, if one was able to look just beyond the right hand edge, the original map shows Christ Church quite clearly, and this was not built until 1838 and consecrated in 1839. There are other clues to the date of this, and the other maps in the collection; a fuller description and commentary of these can be found on our website, publications “Special Paper 5 – Three Maps of Early Victorian Wellington”; downloadable free.

Next illustrated talk - 17th May 2017 Our next illustrated talk, 17th May in the Library, is by Peggy Doran, widow of the late Bill Doran who was a very successful motorcyclist competing at numerous Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT races; later he set up a dealership in Wellington. It should be a fascinating insight into the world of motor-cycling in which both Peggy and Bill had been involved with all their lives; a passion passed on to the next generations.

My Story by Rona Harris

Time to take up a hobby

IRST OF ALL, I must apologize for not writing in last month’s magazine, but there was quite a lot of different happenings going on which did prevent me from doing this. However, I have decided to take up a “hobby” if that is what I believe it to be, and now I will explain. Many, many years ago when I was five years of age, and had just about started school, and yes! I was taught ‘how to knit’, and I must admit that over these following years I have knitted all sorts of ‘stuff’ for our ever expanding family. Although for about five years during WWII it was quite difficult to get the wool, as it, along with everything else needed coupons for clothing (including wool), so I have now purchased some wool and patterns and we will see what happens from here on. You see, since my lovely Les died in 1998 I have not even attempted any knitting whatsoever, but I will let you know how it all goes. I am pleased that this year is progressing quite well it’s not been the best time for me, but with spring on the way that can’t be bad can it? In the February magazine I told you of my older sister Irene, who is now 93 years of age, but she is not too well at the moment, but all we can do is to wait and hope for the best, she is six years older than me, and has always been so much in charge of things which included me too, but then I suppose all our lives are governed by health and happiness. I think I have mentioned before that as a family we had a very strict upbringing this was in the 1930’s and not a lot of money around, but I was the only one in the family who was given all the altered “hand me downs” in clothing of varying sizes from aunts and from Irene it was all adjusted to fit me. When Irene joined the WRNS she was posted to Australia, so she bought wool from there and posted it to us here in England, there was some for Sheila (younger sister) and me so I knitted a sweater for myself (I would be about 14 years old), then in time it got sorted and re-knitted into so many garments, which brings me to another wartime cut-back. As I have previously told you, before Irene went in to the WRNS she was working in an office in Manchester (we were living in the Derbyshire Peak District until 1946, when we moved to Wellington), she had a friend that she travelled with daily on the train whose name ‘Mary’ then one day Irene came home with a lovely soft cream wollen blanket, she also had a sewing pattern for a ladies suit, (then they were known as costumes), so she cut the suit out of the blanket and with no sewing machine, she stitched the whole thing by hand, and her stitching was really firm and beautiful, then she dyed it ‘dark green’ it really looked quite tailored and neat and Mary looked lovely wearing it too Irene’s sewing and embroidery always looked so very professional. However, time, as they say is marching on, so I think I had better bring this to a close, and get a few jobs done around the house. I will write more next time.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 23

22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Letters.indd 2

29/04/2017 03:23

Dea r Editor . . .

Letters

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL MEMOR IES AND PICTURES THROUGH THE MOST POPULAR PAGES OF THE WREKIN NEWS

Old Wellingtonians line up for the photographer

HE PHOTO of the Old Wellingtonians is from around 1954 my brother and exgrammar school lads formed the team. There was the odd player that did not attend the Grammar School. My brother Dennis nicknamed ‘nipper’ had just returned from the Korean war which ended 1953.There are some I know but I am sure readers will enjoy naming others. Back row: first footballer is Peter Dayus, his nickname was ‘Scrubby’. Sadly Peter died quite early. Peter joined GPO engineering and we played table tennis together. The third footballer from left is Gordon Parton, he worked at the Shropshire Star and I played table tennis many times against him. First on the front row is Eric Wilson ‘little pimp’, brother to ‘big pimp’ Les Wilson who played for the Lilywhites. Don’t ask how they got the nicknames! I never knew. Next to him is ‘Nipper’ Dennis Barnett. I have three other names from photo but can’t place them Cotton, Duffet and Heighway. I do hope someone still alive such as Eric can identify them all? The photo’s of myself on two of several motor bikes I owned a ‘Douglas Dragonfly PJW457 from 1956 which I bought from Purslow’s of Shrewsbury, the figure of £150 rings a bell it was

second-hand with only a small mileage. When it warmed up it smoked from the left-hand cylinder, I ﬁnally sussed it was a hairline crack in the valve guide that opened up to let oil in the cylinder when warm. About four months after I bought it Douglas went bust and Pride and Clarke dealers were selling them new for less than I paid second hand which just about sums up my luck! The Triumph Speed twin JUN 548 I bought from my brother when he bought a thunderbird to pull his large sidecar. I bought this in 1957 and I left the side car gearing on, you could leave most things standing but I burned out a few rectiﬁers (over revving). This made many trips backwards and forwards to Catterick whilst doing National Service. One

Sunday evening Don Mason another Wellington lad (I worked with his brother Norman at GPO Engineering) and myself were heading back to Catterick camp and it rained nearly all the way. We were on the Yorkshire Moors when A puncture occurred. Pitch Dark, soaking wet we pushed the bike an awful long way to a garage (lucky to ﬁnd one). We left the bike as it was late and arranged to go out next day to pick it up. We had to pay around £4 for a taxi back to camp. I borrowed a scooter from two mates Darley and Birchall to go and pick up the bike. The garage owner charged us £3-10 shillings to ﬁx the puncture. Harry Sutch and Bill Perry’s rate was half a crown 2/6d. He would not come down no pay no bike so we paid as NS men Twenty Five shillings per week 25/- Moral plenty of rip off men in the good old days as well. After Christmas I took the bike home and left it there. From then on I started hitching lifts home and catching the Catterick Flyer back to camp. If I could get to Bawtry transport Café from Catterick there was a good chance I could get a lift with a Sankey’s wagon or a BRS wagon drop off right by my home and many lorry drivers bought you a bacon butty and a mug of tea remembering their own service days. By the way the Douglas is in the garden next to the Lilywhites football ground you can just see the old stand through the trees. The triumph was at my sisters and brother in laws house at the Police Station in Dawley. I am sure many readers will remember P. C. Cliff Bryan.

24 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Letters.indd 4

29/04/2017 03:24

Friend of the Wrekin News Dave Barnett called into the office this month with a couple of pictures and story to tell....

TROTFIELD WINDOWS CELEBRATING 35 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Shropshire’s first choice for windows, doors & conservatories

SAVE ENERGY WITH OUR ‘A’ RATED WINDOWS

Visit our superb showroom with customer car parking

We are open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm & Sat - 9am - 4pm

15 YEAR GUARANTEE INSURANCE BACKED

Email sales@trotfieldwindows.co.uk or call: Est. 1982

01952 433149

Est. 1982

Sunday & Evenings 01952 510595

Like us on facebook facebook.com/Wrekin-News

www.trotfieldwindowsltd.co.uk 1 Madeley Road, Ironbridge, Telford, TF8 7PP

Denise’s Salon – retiring after 50 years After 50 years of hairdressing, Denise has decided its time to hang up her scissors and retire this summer. Denise ﬁrst started hairdressing as a Saturday girl at Margret Williams, later called Mandy Watkins in New Church Road, Wellington. When she left school in 1966, she started working full time at the salon. By the time, she was 21 with help of her parents she had taken over the salon and started trading as ‘Denise’s Salon’ where she stayed until the business moved to King Street, Wellington in 1992. This would not have been possible without her parents’ and her husband Roger’s support helping in the background washing dozens of towels each week and looking after Denise’s two daughters when she returned to work after short maternity breaks. Denise has seen many changes along the way in Wellington, and with the help of her staff keeping the salon up to date with new styles and technics. Most importantly, many of her customers have been loyal to Denise over the years; many friendships have been made and lasted. Over the years Denise has done somewhere in the region of

10,000 perms, 78,000 shampoo and sets and 20,000 blow dry’s – it is time to rest those ﬁngers! There has been a lot of gossip exchanged, laughs had and many family celebrations shared over the years in and out of the salon – only wish she had written a book and taken more pictures! Therefore, after 50 years of cutting, shampooing and blow-drying, Denise is retiring to spend time with her family and her new granddaughter. Denise would like to thank all the customers for their support over the years and a huge thank you to all the staff who have supported her through thick and thin including a hip replacement and last winter a broken wrist! As a family, we would like to thank Denise for her hard work and everything she has done for us over the years.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 25

22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Letters.indd 5

29/04/2017 03:25

Dea r Editor . . .

Letters

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL MEMOR IES AND PICTURES THROUGH THE MOST POPULAR PAGES OF THE WREKIN NEWS

Wellington Remembers 1914-1918

Henry’s story . . . This month we remember a Wellington man commemorated on the Lych Gate who served with the New Zealand Riﬂe Brigade.

ENRY George Maurice Brooks Mumford was the son of George Maurice and Amy Violet Mumford. George was a cabinet maker and both he and his wife were born in Wellington. Henry was the eldest son of 10 children of whom ﬁve survived infancy. The family lived in the High Street and later at 33 Glebe Street and then Cherrington Court (off Watling Street). By 1911 Henry left England for New Zealand, where he settled in Dunedin, and found work as a Car Conductor. Cars (or trams) were widely used at this time in Dunedin where the steep slopes made it difﬁcult for other means of transport. Only San Francisco used more trams at that time.

(Look carefully at the front of the tram in the picture above. There is a baby’s pram hooked onto the front. Hopefully the baby is safely inside the car!)

With a secure job in his new country, Henry was able to ﬁnd reasonable accommodation. In 1912, aged 24, he married Isabel Ellen White Richardson and they set up home at 24 Leckhampton Court, Caversham in Dunedin. The following year they had a daughter, Irene Maureen Amy Violet Mumford. Two years later, on 13 March 1915, Henry volunteered for service in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was noted as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, of fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. He declared previous military service of seven years in the 13th Hussars, a regiment of the British Army. He became part of the 10th Reinforcement contingent. They were sent off with much support from the local population. The Dominion newspaper

26 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Letters.indd 3

described the group waiting for his contingent to walk the streets of Wellington in New Zealand: “Strangers in hundreds walked the streets awaiting the spectacle. They came from all parts of New Zealand, and they had been arriving for several days ahead. Most of them had a son, a brother, or a friend in the force, and they had come all the way to see him march with his draft.” On 22 February 1916 they left for Egypt on the Transport Ship ‘Waihora’ and completed the journey of over 10,000 miles on 31 March. They moved from the Suez Canal to the camp at Tel el Kebir, midway between Cairo and Ismailia. The contingent then moved to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast and embarked 29 May on His Majesty’s Transport Ship ‘Nile’ arriving at Devonport, England, on 9 June. Henry was stationed in the New Zealand hutted camp called Sling, on the edge of Salisbury Plain; in early 1917 he was attached to the New Zealand Command Depot at Codford, Wiltshire. Beginning on board the ‘Waihora’, Henry had several brushes with the military authorities, mainly for short term absence, and a drink too many; a pattern which continued in Egypt and England. Matters came to a head when he failed to report back for duty following ten days leave granted in August 1917. A Court of Enquiry held on 11 September found him absent without leave, and that there were kit deﬁciencies. On the 18 December he was stopped by a Cpl John Fathers of the Military Foot Police on routine patrol in Birmingham. He was unable to produce a valid leave pass and was detained at Thorpe Street barracks where he was returned to NZ military custody. He was duly charged with desertion and tried by District Court Martial at Codford on 24 January 1918. He was found guilty of absence without leave and sentenced to

26/1541 Rfn Henry George Mumford New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Born 4 May 1888 in London Lived in Wellington, Shropshire and Dunedin, New Zealand Killed in action 29 August 1918 in France age 30, buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery (6km NE of Bapaume), grave I.A.12

6 months detention, he also forfeited 132 days gross pay. The fact that Henry was apprehended in Birmingham while wearing his uniform undoubtedly saved him from a guilty verdict to the charge of Desertion and a very severe punishment. He was able to use it as an indication that he intended to return to duty. In his statement to the court Henry said he was concerned that following a spell in hospital, and 10 days leave in January 1917, he was repeatedly turned down as unfit for active service. After further leave in August he did not return for duty after visiting his brother in Manchester, who was on leave from France. He put off returning but stated he wanted to be sent to France. His wish was granted, for on 24 February 1918 his sentence was remitted, and he proceeded to France as 26/1541 Rifleman H G B M Mumford with 4th Battalion 3rd NZ (Rifle) Brigade posted to ‘D’ Company. On 24 March he completed a soldier’s will leaving all his estate to his daughter, Irene. The German spring offensive of 1918 was brought to a standstill on the Somme and Lys fronts. However, the British and French armies needed rest and time to assimilate reinforcements. A policy of active defence followed, until August, when aggressive action and advances caused the German army to falter all along the front. The NZ Division was heavily involved in the Battle of Bapaume between 26-30 August. These days saw some hard fighting. Bapaume was under continual bombardment and it was rightly surmised that the Germans only intended to hold Bapaume until they were able to co-ordinate a withdrawal to the Hindenburg line of defence. Enemy action lessened on the 29th and NZ patrols were able to enter the town. New Zealand casualties over this period include 344 officers and men killed, of whom 54 were from the 4th Battalion including Rifleman Henry George Brooks Maurice Mumford.

Detective Corner Albert James Haynes was a Farrier Serjeant in the Royal Field Artillery, who left his War Gratuity to his sister Clara Lowe. A Boer War soldier, he also served in India and Natal. He was living at 6 Haybridge Road, Hadley in 1911, survived the war, died on 23 April 1919 and was buried in Wellington. But where is he buried? Contact Wellington Remembers if you know anything about Albert. You can contact us by email: wellingtonremembers@outlook.com Our blog: https://wellingtonremembers.wordpress.com Or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wellingtonremembers

Acknowledgments: www.archway.archives.govt.nz , Auckland Weekly News 1918, www.uklandmuseum.com

27/04/2017 19:08

Shropshire County Show taking shape

GIANT roaring dinosaur will be among the star attractions at one of Shropshire’s major agricultural shows this summer. Shropshire County Show will take place in Shrewsbury on May 27 and one of its most popular areas is the Kids Zone which provides a range of free entertainment for families. Organisers have now announced the centrepiece of the Kids Zone will be Pete the T-Rex - a fourmetre long animatronic dinosaur which will roam the showground breathing steam and entertaining visitors. The Kids Zone will also feature a trio of performers - Magic Kev, Juggling Jim and the Animal Man - along with facepainting, a giant Octopus playbarn, hay bale maze, go karts, BMX riding and activities provided by the British Army. It will take place at the Greenhous West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury on May 27 and will feature hundreds of animal exhibits, trade stands, food showcases and a variety of entertainment in the main ring. Ian Bebbington, society director, said the 2017 show was shaping up to be the best ever. “The team of volunteers who organise the show have worked incredibly hard to arrange a fantastic amount of entertainment this year,” he said. “The theme of the show is ‘where town meets country’ and there really is something for everyone - from roaring dinosaurs and live music, to the finest breeds of animals on show and the Young Farmers parade of colourful floats. “We have worked hard to make the event excellent value for money. Advance tickets are just £13 for an adult and £30 for a family of five - a lot of entertainment is free so you can have a fantastic day out for a very reasonable price. “There is also plenty of free car parking available on the showground, so we are hoping for another successful show.” To buy advance tickets, visit the website at www. westmidshowground.com or call 01743 289831.

Win a family pass to the Shropshire County Show Wrekin News has teamed up with the Shropshire County Show to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a family pass (two adults and three children). All you have to do to enter is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, County Show, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk Closing date for entries is Wednesday 24 May 2017

Sunglasses by Eve Nicholls

Find the Right Style for You Sunglasses are an essential summer accessory. Here’s our guide to finding the style to suit your face shape: A Round Shape Face is fairly short with a wide forehead, often with full cheeks and a rounded chin. Choose rectangular shaped frames or frames with colour or decoration on the temples. Avoid small or round shapes and oversized frames which will make your face look rounder. An Oblong Shape Face is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longish nose. Choose aviator shaped frames, square styles or frames with a low bridge. Avoid narrow, rectangular frame shapes and short frames that accentuate face length. A Square Shape Face has a broad, deep forehead, wide jaw line and square chin. Choose round and oval style frames with sides set at the top of the frame. Avoid thin, angular and square styles, as well as any designs that have low-set temples or colour accents on the bottom of the frames.

Model wears - Top £6, Sun glasses £2. Both Primark A Heart Shape Face has a broad forehead with wide cheekbones that narrow to a small chin. Choose light coloured rimless frames or frames with detail at the bottom to add width to the lower face. Avoid styles that are wider at the top than the bottom as they will emphasise the face shape. An Oval Face is the most desired face shape. It’s balanced and softly rounded, the forehead is slightly wider than the jaw and the cheekbones are high. Choose pretty much any style you fancy as your face shape means you will suit almost all styles. Avoid narrow frames which aren’t particularly ﬂattering.

Model wears - Dress £13, Jacket £30, Choker £2 and Sunglasses £3. All Primark.

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 27

27 Fashion - Comps.indd 1

28/04/2017 20:46

The

ROTARY IN SHROPSHIRE HAS A YOUNG MUSICIAN NATIONAL FINALIST

Stage

this months picks

JAZZ DANCE COMPANY

WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE 2017

BOX OFFICE: 01743 281281

DYNASTIES: THE SANDS OF TIME Power, Greed, Corruption, Love, Deceit, Murder, Conﬂict and Passion. Join the JAZZ DANCE COMPANY as they delve into the archives of the past to explore great stories and iconic characters. Pharaohs to Princes and Knights to Kings, JAZZ DANCE COMPANY invite you to watch as they breathe new life into the past with their inspirational and talented dancers, perfoming Hip Hop, Jazz and Music Theatre, from leading choreographers of stage and screen. Come and enjoy a night of dance excellence for all the family with this fun, upbeat and exhilarating show!

The Rotary district which includes Shropshire has a national young musician finalist. Vocalist Annabel Rockett, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ironbridge, was one of two winners of the Rotary Young Musician Regional Final at Wrekin College. Annabel, 17, a student at Wolverhampton Grammar School, was the solo vocalist to go through to the Rotary National Young Musician Final in Cardiff on May 6. Said Rotarian John Sayer, District Governor for the Rotary district which includes Shropshire: “There were competitors from as far away as South Wales, Swindon and Rugby taking part in the regional final and the afternoon was an exceptional demonstration of musical talent. “I am delighted that Annabel has won through to the national final – it is a well-deserved recognition of a wonderful voice.” As well as music, Annabel enjoys running, spinning, the gym and archery, while Huw was regional and Welsh trampoline champion in 2016.

W IN TICKET S

The Rotary Young Musicians regional winners Annabel and Huw.

WIN THEATRE TICKETS! VIVA LA COLDPL AY £12 Saturday 6th May

Friday 12th May to Saturday 13th May

8pm

7.30pm

“Close your eyes and you’ll think it was the real thing!” This is a show that will delight both fans and novices alike.

DURAN DURAN EXPERIENCE

£10

Join three madcap men in tights weaving their wicked way through all of the Bard’s Tragedies, Histories and Comedies

HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN

£14

Friday 26th to Saturday 27th May

Friday 19th May

8pm

The Duran Duran Experience have been established as the premier Duran Duran tribute band in the UK since 2012

£13

STRICTLY ABBA

£15

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

“These guys are the closest you are going to get”

GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM

Friday 16th June

£8

Thursday 22nd June to Saturday 1st July

8pm

“What a fantastic night!” “Absolutely brilliant” THIS SHOW ALWAYS SELLS OUT - SO IF YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT - BOOK NOW!

FROM

7.30pm

‘…tugs the heart strings…moments of enchanting comedy…splendidly faithful to the book…a big success.’

CONTACT

01746 766477

admin@theatreonthesteps.co.uk www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk Stoneway Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4BD

HOW TO ENTER

Wrekin News has teamed up with The Place, Oakengates and Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury to offer lucky reader’s the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Jazz Dance Company and Marty MacDonald’s Toy Machine. All you have to do to enter is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, (INSERT NAME OF THE SHOW THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE), Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry with all of the above details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk - You are welcome to enter to win tickets for both Shows, but please remember to send separate entries for each one. Closing date for entries - Wednesday 24 May 2017. Terms and condition apply.

GOOD LUCK!

MARTY MACDONALD’S TOY MACHINE A brand new show featuring the voices of CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the Cow - from the team who brought you Marty MacDonald’s Farm! Everyone at Marty MacDonald’s Farm is delighted with the special delivery that’s arrived – the Toy Machine that makes all of the toys in the world! But then they realise that Crafty the Crow has been up to mischief and it shouldn’t really be there at all… Join Marty, Sally the Scarecrow,

SATURDAY 27 MAY 2017

BOX OFFICE: 01952 382382

W IN TICKET S

Pongo the Pig, Molly-Moo the Cow and Sheena the Sheep in a fun, musical, interactive adventure to repair the Toy Machine, save the day and give the world back its toys!

28 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 30, 31 Entertainment.indd 1

29/04/2017 02:26

GO LIMITLESS . . .

big

SEE ALL THE FILMS YOU WANT, AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE!

Imagine being able to see all the ﬁlms you want, week in, week out. Mid-week romcom? Saturday night blockbuster? With huge potential savings and access to exclusive member treats, joining Limitless means you can watch all the ﬁlms you want as often as you like for one monthly fee.

screen

ODEONSAYS

In association with

Welcome

Odeon, Telford General Manager Annette Small welcomes you to 10 screens of ﬁlm magic screening stunning RealD 3D. You can treat yourself to an exclusive entertainment experience with our Premier seats, cafe culture at Costa or icy indulgences at Ben & Jerry’s. Parking is available at the cinema for the perfect spot!

ODEONSAYS The latest chapter in the iconic sci-fi horror franchise, ‘Alien: Covenant’ chronicles the voyage of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a distant planet, whose crew makes a terrible discovery. They’re undertaking the first large-scale colonisation mission, and their new world was supposed to be a paradise. But in reality, it’s a hell: as the crew discover threats and creatures more horrific than they can imagine, their quest for a new home quickly turns into a desperate attempt to escape. Ridley Scott continues the groundbreaking saga with ‘Alien: Covenant’, bringing one of cinema’s most legendary monsters back to terrify us once again.

ODEONSAYS

Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot are back for ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’, in a cosmos-spanning adventure to try and track down Peter Quill’s mysterious father. They know he’s not human, but it’s not much of a lead to go on. And their search doesn’t go smoothly as a new threat rears its head – after all, the galaxy isn’t going to save itself. Get hooked on a feeling all over again for ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’, which reunites our beloved space heroes and introduces new people to the team. Ooga chaka!

Over the course of several lifetimes, Bailey seeks to discover ‘A Dog’s Purpose’. He and Ethan were best friends, but a dog’s life is much shorter than a human’s. Bailey and Ethan had many long, happy years together, but all things must come to an end. And yet, incredibly, Bailey is reborn into a new body, with a new owner. One day, many years later, he encounters a familiar face – could he have been reunited with an old friend? Josh Gad provides the voice of Bailey as he searches for ‘A Dog’s Purpose’.

S T E K C I T A M WIN CINE ance y readers the ch to offer FIVE luck me and telephone rd lfo Te a, m ne your na the Odeon Ci oice. Just send 1RY s teamed up with a film of your ch to gton, Telford TF1 ts lin Wrekin News ha el ke W tic , a ad m Ro ne ci ge id rd Br da s, an et st ws, Odeon Tick to win a pair of Baylis, Wrekin Ne l:tania@plus2media.co.uk ticket, passes contact to: Tania or emai ply to some free

will always strictions ap d conditions. Re tions apply.There of the s different terms an t/voucher to see whether restric ek ve we ha d few an rst es fi ss the in Blue Guest pa ms of your ticke may be restricted These tickets are s. Please check the specific ter riod. use of vouchers pe ’ the t ed bu ict , on str for pti Re ed em ‘Free Passes ucher can be us and voucher red referred to as the films that your vo News website ific film - this is be a selection of visit the Wrekin e as release of a spec ple on ati For more inform

30, 31 Entertainment.indd 2

29/04/2017 02:52

Diary May/June 2017

13 and 14 May Shropshire Kids Festival The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury 10am till 5pm 01952 432175 17 May Buckatree Hall Hotel Wedding Open Evening, 6:00pm till 8:00pm 01952 641821 19 May Blists Hill Victorian Town 10:00am till 5:00pm, Dementia Awareness Week, The museum is inviting those living with Dementia and their carers to visit the museum on The Friday for £5 per couple. 01952 433424 19 May Wellington Methodist Church Lunchtime Organ Concert, ANTHONY PINEL director of music St Chads Shrewsbury, Church Open at 12:30pm Tea, coffee and soft drinks available. Bring your own lunch. Concert begins at 1:00pm 20 May 8am 21 May 3:30pm

Shrewsbury FLEA West Mid Showground 07584357808 21 and 28 May Stafford Car Boot Stafford Common, Stone Rd, Car £8 Van £10, Large Van £13 Sellers from 6am and buyers from 7am 27 May Apley Farm Craft Fair 10am 01952 581002 27 May Shropshire County Show The Agricultural Show Ground, Shrewsbury 01743 289831 27 and 28 May Weston Park Food Festival 28 May Apley Bake Off An all day event 01952 581002

To include your event in our Diary for June please contact Tania tania@plus2media.co.uk or call 01952 522562

Telford Stamp, Card and Coin Fair

Telford Stamp, Card and Coin Fair is on Saturday 8th July 2017 at Belmont Hall, Wellington centre, Telford, TF1 1LU from 10am to 3pm, free entry with a good range of stalls, free valuations, buy and sell, home made refreshments. Free adjacent car park, train station close by, bus via Telford Centre to nearby local bus station. Further details from Bob Pilkington, Tel: 01299 211737 or email: sbpilkington02@outlook.com. (Tables may be available)

Ticket JUST

FRIDAY 5TH - THE CAPTURED & SUPPORT FRIDAY 12TH - A PIG CALLED EGGS & SUPPORT SATURDAY 13TH - AC/DC TRIBUTE - WHOLE LOTTA DC - £7/£9 FRIDAY 19TH - AFTER THE RIOT SATURDAY 20TH - RETRIBUTION THURSDAY 25TH - HIGH LORD, 14 PIECES & I ASSASSIN FRIDAY 26TH - SLADE TRIBUTE - SLADE UK - £7/£9 SATURDAY 27TH - AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY GIG - £3 26 HAYGATE RD, WELLINGTON, TELFORD, TF1 1QA - 01952 247333 FACEBOOK.COM/THEHAYGATE

To advertise in

JUST THE TICKET Please call Irene on 01952 522562 or email

irene@plus2media.co.uk

Telford Patisserie Valerie

OPULAR continental café and cake shop, Patisserie Valerie has now opened a new cafe in Telford. Patisserie Valerie which operates over 115 cafes nationally, opened a new store on 14th April 2017. The renowned national chain has moved into Debenhams within the Telford Shopping Centre in the heart of the city centre, and has created approximately 20 jobs. The new store will offer Patisserie Valerie’s famous range of lovingly handmade cakes and Patisserie, including a traditional Afternoon Tea, which includes a selection of ﬁnger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a range of mini patisserie bites. Whilst customers indulge in these delicious treats they will also be able to enjoy handcrafted coffee created by trained baristas, and a selection of the ﬁnest loose leaf teas. The new store will also be a place to order and collect celebration cakes perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and parties, as well as wedding cakes. Customers can choose from Valerie’s signature range of gateaux and wedding cakes or use the company’s interactive create-a-cake tool. Patisserie Valerie also offers a bespoke cake service for birthday, wedding and other special occasion cakes which can be discussed with a member of staff in store. Customers can sign up to the Patisserie Valerie Cake Club to receive exclusive offers and hear all the latest news at:

www.pvcakeclub.co.uk

MAY 2017

THE

NOW OPEN

Win afternoon tea! Wrekin News has teamed up with Patisserie Valerie to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an afternoon tea voucher for Patisserie Valerie in Telford. To enter send your name, address and daytime telephone number to Tania Baylis, Afternoon Tea Voucher, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your entry details to: tania@plus2media.co.uk - Wrekin News standard terms and conditions apply and the closing date for entries is Wednesday 24th May 2017. Good Luck! VOUCHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS Expires 12 months from date of purchase. Must be used in one single transaction. No cash value. Must present voucher to member of staff on arrival. Only valid for one standard Afternoon Tea for Two. Excludes prosecco option. Any additional items you may order will be added to the bill, and must be paid for accordingly. Subject to availability. Valid at any Patisserie Valerie branch that offers Afternoon Tea – please check website for your local store. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Please treat this card like cash as lost or stolen cards cannot be replaced. Not valid in Selfridges concessions.

Dementia Awareness Day at Blists Hill Victorian Town Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire is marking National Dementia Awareness Week, 14th – 20th May, by inviting those living with dementia and their carers to come and enjoy a visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town on Friday, 19th May at a very special price of just £5 per couple. Whether living at home or in care people with dementia are at risk of becoming isolated and lonely. Their carers often suffer from the same lack of contact with others, as they feel they have fewer opportunities to engage with the community. The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are an ideal place to get out of the house and meet other people in a safe and welcoming environment. As

members of the Dementia Action Alliance and the Safe Places Scheme, and with many staff being Dementia Friends, the Ironbridge Gorge Museums do all they can to make a visit as stress free and enjoyable as possible. To obtain the special discount on 19th May, those guests living with dementia just need to tell the staff that they are taking part in the Dementia Awareness Day. Information about local

dementia services will be available on the day including where to go to get advice. Open 10am to 4.30pm Blists Hill is one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums. For further information, call the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www. ironbridge.org.uk.

30 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 30 Just The Ticket.indd 1

29/04/2017 00:32

BUCKATREE HALL HOTEL

May

JANUARY

Friday 12th Rod Stewart Tribute Dinner Your evening starts with a two course evening meal followed by the finest tribute to the legendary Rod Stewart followed by dancing until 11.30pm. £17.50pp

Saturday 13th Adele Tribute Dinner Your evening starts with a two course All are £24.50 per person inclusive of a 3-course dinner with evening meal followed by the finest coffee and live entertainment tribute to Grammy Award winning Adele followed byWednesday dancing until 11.30pm. 6th December £17.50pp ABBA

Tribute Dinners

FEBRUARY

sive Parties FREE bar

00pp November, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 16th and 22nd

June

Lunches

£11.50pp £14.50pp mber to mber

Lunches

6.50pp £9.95pp

nd 17th December

ar’s Day Lunch

6.50pp £9.95pp

nches

EVENT CALENDAR 2017 2016

Friday 21st End of School Disco Celebrate the end of term and let your hair down! Dress to impress and party the night away in style. A three course evening meal with a glass of house wine and disco entertainment is included. £19.95pp Friday 28th Elton John Tribute Dinner Are you ready for love? Your evening starts with a two course evening meal MAY DECEMBER followed by the -finest tribute to2017 Sir Elton John followed by dancing until 11.30pm. £17.50pp

Events Calendar

Thursday 14th December

Elvis Presley v Elton John Sunday 18th Fathers Day Thursday 21st December Look after the old manv this father’s day Rod Stewart David Bowie and treat him to Sunday lunch! Dads get a free pint of beer or glass of house wine from the Buckatree. £15.95pp Celebrating a Birthday? Free birthday cake for the

Friday 8th Gin Tasting with Moonshine & Fuggles Join us for a fun and informative evening as we sample a selection of gins accompanied by a selection of Tapas. In-between each tasting will be a short quiz. Money raised on the night will go towards our nominated charity – Homestart. £25.00pp Saturday 16th Motown Magic Tribute Stop! In The Name of Love’ –there’s a ‘Heat Wave’ of an evening for you! Your evening starts with a two course evening meal followed by tribute and dancing with our in-house disco until midnight. £17.50pp

APRIL October

Friday 6th All Inclusive Party Night Rock ‘n’ Roll 50’s, Flower Power 60’s, Funky 70’s, Electric 80’s, Alternative 90’s and Naughty 00’s. Enjoy a two course evening meal and an all inclusive bar with all these magical decades rolled into one night of nostalgic musical heaven from our disco. £34.95pp

Special Overnight Party Package

Includes check-in from 2.00pm, birthday guest (must be Friday 30th pre-booked and minimum party party night accommodation with full English breakfast and a numbers of 10 apply).Dinner Elvis Tribute box of chocolates in your room Henevening Party? Your starts with(based a two on 2 course people sharing a Brides go free on parties of 20 or double or twin bedded standard evening meal followed by the fi nest more (entrance to the party night room – upgrades available at an additional only, notto accommodation). tribute the ‘King’ - Elvis Presley cost). FROM Gift Vouchers followed by dancing until 11.30pm. £15.00 single £34.50 Looking for the perfect gift? supplement £17.50pp PER PERSON Personalised vouchers available applies.

3-course lunch with t

September

for all events at the hotel plus much more.

Doris Day 6th December

Tom Jones 18th December

BUCKATREE HALL HOTEL 01952 641 821 | sales@buckatreehallhotel.com The Wrekin, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 5AL

July

Saturday 15th Doris Day Tribute Dinner Your evening starts with a two course evening meal followed by the finest tribute to Doris Day as we take you on a “sentimental journey” followed by dancing until 11.30pm. £17.50pp

MARCH

Celebrating a Birthday? Free birthday cake for the birthday guest (must be pre-booked and minimum party numbers of 10)

Celebrating a Birthday? BUCKATREE HALL HOTEL August Free birthday cake for the 01952 641 821 | sales@buckatreehallhotel.com

Special Overnight Party Package

birthday guest (must be Includes check-in from Saturday 26th pre-booked and minimum 2.00pm, party night Abba Mania Tribute Dinner party numbers of 10 apply). accommodation with full Friday 20th Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - Great food English breakfast and a box West End Musicals Tribute Hen Party? and the chance to sing your heart out. of chocolates in your room Your evening starts with a two course Your evening starts with a two course Brides go free on parties (based on 2 people sharing evening meal followed by abedded fabulous evening meal followed by tribute and of 20 or more (entrance a double or twin classic hits of the West End. dancing with our in-house disco to the until party night only,tribute not to the standard room – upgrades midnight. £17.50pp accommodation). £17.50pp available at an additional Gift Vouchers

cost).

Hen Party? Looking for the perfect gift?

FROM £15.00 single Gift Vouchers supplement £34.50 Personalised vouchers Brides go free on parties of 20 or Looking for the perfect gift? PER PERSON more (entrance to the party nightfor all events at Personalised vouchers available for all available the applies. only, not accommodation). hotel plus much more. events at the hotel plus much more.

To book any of our events call:01952 641821 email:sales@buckatreehallhotel.com visit:www.buckatreehallhotel.com

Buckatree Hall Hotel FP.indd 1

27/04/2017 16:48

Your Community

Textile exhibition

EVENTS LTD

UN:BOUND, a new group of ﬁfteen textile artists, is staging an exhibition including member’s individual work and two group projects of travelling books and indigo pieces. The event will be on 12th, 13th and 14th May 2017 between 10:00 and 16:00 at Sambrook Church, Sambrook, Shropshire, TF10 8BW. Entrance fee £2, proceeds to Sambrook Church. Tea, coffee and cakes available in the adjacent Church Hall. Enquiries by email to unbound. sambrook@gmail.com

A5 Flyer.indd 1

11/04/2017 16:11

WIN A DOG TRAINING LESSON & A LEAD!

Wrekin News has teamed up with GB Dog Training to oﬀer this fantastic prize to one lucky reader. All you have to do to enter is send your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Tania Baylis, GB Dog Training, Wrekin News, Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford TF1 1RY or email your details to: tania@plus2media. co.uk - closing date for entries is Wednesday 24 May 2017

WELLINGTON METHODIST CHURCH

Saturday 13th May 2017 at 7.00pm The Salvation Army, Lion Street, Oakengates, Telford Tickets £6.00 (£5.00 Concessions) Under 16 Free! Available from 01952 620263 or pdaplin@talktalk.net or the office in Lion St

Thirteenth Series of Lunchtime Organ Concerts Friday 19th May 2017 - Anthony Pinel Director of Music St Chads Shrewsbury Church open at 12.30pm Tea, coffee and soft drinks available · bring your own lunch · concerts begin at 1.00pm and are of 40 minutes duration ADMISSION FREE

32 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 32 Community Notice Board.indd 1

29/04/2017 03:05

Over 30 years experience in all aspects of dog training with many happy clients Family run business owned and managed by Gavin Beechey

★★★★★ Over 350 Five Star reviews on Facebook “Sponsors of Dawley Church of England Primary School Academy football kit”

Professional Dog Training ● We pride ourselves on providing a high level of dog training and customer service ● Basic obedience to behaviour issues ● Puppy socialisation ● Gundog training ●

Download the GB App FREE from the App store!

gavin@gbdogtraining.co.uk Mobile: 07583 954 991 Landline: 01952 375 375

FULLY INSURED

@gb_dogtraining GBdogtraining-uk www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 33

GB Dog Training Advert.indd 1

29/04/2017 03:30

‘Keeping kindness at the heart of our care’

Lake View Residential Care Home Residential

Dementia

“I am happy living here, the staff are friendly and caring.” Resident Our dedicated team offers care with kindness, supporting residents to live happy and contented lives full of wonderful experiences.

Call us on: 01952 594 110

Brookside Avenue, Brookside, Telford, TF3 1LB Wrekin News NEW 17.pdf 1 31/03/2017 14:28:43

www.sanctuary-care.co.uk

03040104 Wrekin News 198mm W x136mm H FEB 2017 v2.indd 1

25/01/2017 11:20:01

‘Yo

ur life loca ala line l se rm rvi ce ’

Independence and peace of mind at the touch of a button

A WATCH lifeline pendant alarm provides reassurance and help when needed, 24 hours a day through a dedicated monitoring centre and response team. @WATCHalarms

facebook.com/WATCHalarms

To book a FREE home demonstration please call 01952 217151 www.watchalarms.co.uk 34 Adverts.indd 1

27/04/2017 17:17

Classic jukebox provides the sound of music at Shropshire care home

ESIDENTS at a Shropshire care home are being entertained by the sound of music thanks to a new arrival - an iconic Wurlitzer jukebox. The machine, which holds 2,500 CDs from the 1950s to the 1980s, has been bought for Coverage Care’s Innage Grange in Bridgnorth from a generous legacy left to the home. The modern recreation of the original Wurlitzer has taken pride of place in the main communal lounge and will play an important role for residents in nursing and residential care alike, said manager Nigel Godman. “The Wurlitzer jukebox is more than just an amazing source of music to entertain everyone. It’s a great reminder for many of our residents who will have played these jukeboxes when they were younger. “The music they choose will prompt memories from their own lives, a song they remember dancing or singing to their children for instance. “The machine itself is also a great form of visual stimulation. It has the classic bubble tube on the top and it’s very colourful and lights up.” Nigel said that the decision to install the jukebox was made as it can be enjoyed by everyone at the home, regardless of their physical or mental health. “Although some of our residents have dementia and others may be restricted to a wheelchair, they can still enjoy the jukebox and its music. “There has been widespread research on the

Above: Enid Verdmore and Margaret Richardson with the new jukebox at Innage Grange

beneﬁts of music – for instance, it is believed that music lowers stress hormone levels and may trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone which boosts the body’s ability to tolerate pain. It is also said to be able to stimulate memories in people with dementia as the disease progresses.”

Discover near you

Making care a positive and rewarding choice Coverage Care – a not for profit, multi award winning organisation with care services throughout the region – improving the lives of those using our services by providing quality, innovative and inclusive care that respects the individual.

locations to feel at home.

Lightmoor View Telford Tel: 01952 432 412

Barclay Gardens Donnington Tel: 01952 605 321

Farcroft Wellington Tel: 01952 223 447

Cottage Christian Newport Tel: 01952 825 557 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 34

Coverage Care page.indd 1

27/04/2017 16:55

CLEAN UP WITH SUTHERLANDS

WE FAIL OUR CHILDREN BY FAILING TO TEACH THEM ABOUT FOOD!

SPRING SPECIAL

3 STANDARD SIZED ROOMS DELUXE CARPET CLEAN £55

Emergency Flood Water Extraction with Deodarisation 2 Bedroom semi-house All carpets from £85 3 Bedroom semi-house All carpets from £95 4 Bedroom semi-house All carpets from £105 We offer a price promise to beat any ‘like for like’ quote on upholstery or carpets (economy or deluxe clean.)

All Staff Professionally trained

DELUXE CLEANING ALSO AVAILABLE For Product information or for a FREE estimate call: Kevan or Stewart on: 01952 403179/ 07454 017249

And Make It Work For You FREE SPACE CREATION TIPS

£299 We will fit you a loft ladder and hatch, flooring and lighting in less than a day

BEFORE You already have the space we make it usable!

PACKAGES

FROM

AFTER

Quick, clean efficient, Fully insured and guaranteed

Call for a free quote 01952 426099

www.revealaspace.co.uk

Professor Ralph Early

ARKET research frequently reveals that consumers have a poor understanding of the food they eat. This is particularly so for children. For example, a common response to the question “Where does milk come from?” is “The supermarket of course!”. Experience of working with school children to raise their understanding of food often reveals a distinct lack of knowledge about food, which is worrying when one considers that wise food choices directly affect health and one must possess some objective knowledge to make such choices. To illustrate the point, take the child who assumed that pigs lay sausages like chickens lay eggs. In itself this is perhaps unsurprising when one considers that both products are neatly arranged in packages and commonly number six per pack. Children can be remarkably logical of course, albeit often incorrect when working with an insufﬁciency of information. But making assumptions about food from the way it is packaged does not help the development of understanding that enables good judgement regarding food and health. Indeed, the packaging of many food products is designed intentionally to tempt, rather than inform about the degree to which a product ought to be part

of a sensible, balanced diet. To see this one has only to examine the glossy photographs on some food packaging used to attract consumers to products. Sadly, food packaging with cleverly contrived art-work invariably sells products more effectively than the quality and healthiness of what’s inside. Learning about food as a matter of course is not as easy today as it used to be when meals were cooked from raw materials in the home. We now live in a convenience food society where so much food is designed and processed to make it easy to buy and consume, with preparation frequently amounting to no more than reheating in the oven or microwave. Indeed, with so many doorstep meal delivery companies springing up the opportunities to learn anything substantive about food would seem to be getting slimmer: and counter-intuitively the problem is actually exacerbated by TV cookery programmes. These entertainments are very popular but do not cause an increase in home cooking, for research has shown that the more one watches TV cookery shows the less inclined one will be to cook properly

36 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 36, 37 Wine and Dine.indd 1

27/04/2017 16:52

Love Food

The Tipple! Professor Ralph Early is head of the Department of Food Science and Agri-Food Supply Chain Management in Harper Adams University, Food Sector Champion for the Telford Business Board, a Council Member of the Food Ethics Council, and a member of the Guild of Food Writers.

oneself. Also, people who regularly watch celebrity chefs work their magic on the small screen are more likely to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Certainly, they have been shown to misjudge portion size and calorie relationships when eating, with dire consequences for waistline and health. We might hope that in the home and at school children would be encouraged to learn about food and the part it plays in their lives and health. We might also hope that they would learn about their own national food culture as well as the food cultures of other nations. Knowledge of what food is made from and where it originates ought to be important for everyone and learning about food should be the common experience of children as they progress through school. Even a basic understanding of food can help a person to make good choices in matters relating to value for money, personal health and the health of the family. In today’s food-rich environment where diet related disease is a commonplace one might think food education an integral part of schooling, but successive governments have all but erased the study of food from the national curriculum with their incessant tinkering and results orientated policies. Had politicians and their advisers over the last 40 years understood the importance of food education as part of the core learning needs of children, from primary school onwards, then it is likely that the NHS

would not be so burdened physically and ﬁnancially with patients suffering from avoidable, non-communicable, diet related diseases. Indeed, one only has to observe the proliferation of food businesses offering energy dense, empty calorie products in town centres and shopping malls today – as well as the increasing number of obese people in mobility scooters – to conclude that national and local government policy appears constantly to be tipped in favour of food businesses, and particularly junk food businesses, rather than the health of the nation. Knowledge of food and how food choices affect health ought to be something that all British citizens possess, in order to know how to eat more healthily. Ideally, everyone would learn about food through cooking and meal-time experience in the home. However, as successive generations fail in this we reach a state where those in one generation do not know enough of substance to pass anything of value on to the next generation. Reason and statistics concerning diet related disease suggest that it is now time for the state to help provide the solution, and the medium for success is logically an educational policy that places food centrally within the national curriculum. But will this happen? Don’t hold your breath!

@ProfRalphEarly

Sue Ladds

marks the spot!

ND THEY’RE OFF! no, not the horses at Aintree, that was last month. Teresa May has announced a General election for June 8th and given news editors something to get their teeth into. War, famine, global warming and even Donald J Trump have dropped off the front page. Nicola Sturgeon has got her best lemon-chewing face on, so its not all bad. When Mrs May went to a community leaders bash some months ago and was coldshouldered by everone, she probably made many allies at home. Hey, we’ve all been to parties like that! And then, when Donald Trump treated our Teresa like a longlost family member when she visited the new place he showed far more political nous than he is credited for. In the interests of impartiality I must mention Jeremy Corbyn. So I have. Since the EU referendum there have been some suggestions that voters were ill-informed, a

back-handed insult which I have come across in other contexts recently. Well democracy allows almost all a vote for precisely that reason. Different people, different perspectives, different lives. In many countries democracy is just a dream. Even here, and especially in France in recent months this has been tested by men with guns, or cars, or trucks out for the thrill of killing fellow humans. We decide national change at the voting booth. For women, the right to vote was acheived by peaceful demonstration for the basic right to a say in government. So whether you are bright and knowledgable or sometimes leave the hardthinking to others don’t waste your vote. Use it on the day and uphold the longheld ability of Britons to rule ourselves compentently and considerately. The Grand National had many good entries worth a tenner at the bookies, this General Election however? My tip? Keep the tenner in the pocket. X marks the spot!

BREW ie Gen Large range of beer and wine making kits including starter kits and equipment. Plus all distilation requirements. Very competitive prices at all times. Delivery service throughout UK and Europe. Enquiries please to: sales@brewgenie.co.uk

www.brewgenie.com

Church House New Church Road Wellington, TF1 1JX 01952 250771 www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 37

36, 37 Wine and Dine.indd 2

27/04/2017 16:52

CLEANTEX LINEN AND WORKWEAR RENTAL

Laundry collection or drop off at B3 Stafford Park 11, Telford, TF3 3AY

Tel: 01952 292393 On Site Dry Carpet, Rug, Curtain, Stone and Wooden Floor Cleaning HOUSEHOLD AND BUSINESS LAUNDRY

City watchdog sets deadline date for PPI complaints The City watchdog is to draw a line under the Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandal with a deadline for complaints set for August 2019. It will bring to a close a scandal that has cost Britain’s biggest lenders more than £30bn in provisions to cover compensation payouts, with the bill still rising - though at a slower pace than before. The final deadline for complaints of 29 August 2019 was set by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA said it would launch a twoyear awareness campaign this August to encourage consumers to consider taking action. Chief executive Andrew Bailey said: “Putting in place a deadline and campaign will mean people who were potentially mis-sold PPI will be prompted to take action rather than put it off. “We believe that two years is a reasonable time for consumers to decide whether they wish to make a complaint. “We have carefully considered the feedback we received and we still believe that introducing a deadline for PPI complaints and a communications campaign warning of the deadline will benefit consumers.”

Banks are still putting aside billions to cover the costs of compensating those who were mis-sold PPI products but Barclays and Lloyds saw their 2016 proﬁts surge as the provisions were lower than the year before. Overall Lloyds has made provisions totalling £17bn so far, with HSBC’s bill standing at just over £3bn, Barclays at £8.4bn, and Royal Bank of Scotland on £4.9bn. It is estimated that up to now only around half of those eligible to claim have actually done so, and for many the issue is that they did not know that they had been sold a policy, or that it was so long ago they have simply forgotten. If between 1990 and 2010 you took out a loan, credit card, store card or mortgage it is possible that you may be due compensation which for many runs into £thousands. With the deadline now set I fully expect that the Banks may well be swamped, and I strongly urge you to act quickly to make sure that you do not miss out. Acorn Claim Assist is unique in the fact that I personally deal with your claim from start to ﬁnish, which includes a free initial consultation, in the comfort of your own home, to establish if you have a valid claim, so what do you have to lose?

Have you taken out a loan, credit card, finance agreement or mortgage in the last 20 years? You may have been mis-sold a Payment Protection Plan (PPI) and could be due compensation of hundreds or possibly thousands of pounds!

38 · www.wrekinnews.co.uk 38 Acorn.indd 1

28/04/2017 14:18

Pocket and his taste for horse hoof! P OCKET IS a cheeky yet placid Jack Russell Terrier cross belonging to Sandie, our head receptionist here at the Severn Edge Vets Bridgnorth Hospital. He came to us one day a few months ago vomiting on and off after happily spending the day, like he had done so many times before, at the horse yard while the farrier did his work. After having some medications to make him feel less sick we decided to keep a close eye on his condition since he was happy enough at this point and not too uncomfortable in his tummy when we had a poke! After 12 hours Pocket showed no sign of getting any better. At this point I advised Sandie that we ultrasound and x-ray Pocket’s abdomen as I was concerned he may have something stuck. Unfortunately my hunch was right and we found something solid lodged in his intestine (see image). Here you can see the intestine is filled with gas (dark area) and a solid piece of something! (bright white bit). On the ultrasound we also found some small pockets of fluid around the area of intestine. This is concerning as it could be a sign of inflammation and the start of peritonitis. I spoke to Sandie and advised we operate as soon as possible to get the object out as Pocket was starting to pass diarrhoea too, a sign that things are getting worse. Sandie agreed it was the only option. Upon performing an exploratory laparotomy (fancy words for opening him up) we found that the part of intestine that had an object stuck had turned black and was dying.

area was to the caecum (an intestinal sac in which some fermentation occurs). Luckily I had another vet, Harriet, with me as this was certainly a two person job. After removing the dead piece of gut, Pocket was stitched up and woken up. He then stayed with us to recover with lots of pain relief and antibiotics. After a few days with us Pocket was well enough to go home and since then, much to my joy, he hasn’t looked back. He’s back to wanting to pinch bits of food and Sandie even had to pull some horse hoof out of his mouth when he next went to the yard!! Pocket did really well but this must be an opportunity to expose the risks of dogs eating horse hoof. Though it can often pass, Pocket is a prime example of what can happen if it doesn’t. So to anyone out there whose beloved dog is with them around horses, please be careful and watch out for them eating hoof!!

Written by:

Dr Dan Nicholls

BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS

When we cut into the intestine we pulled out a big clump of horse hoof that he must have eaten when he was with the horses. This hoof had passed through the stomach, down the small intestine and had got stuck at the junction between the small and large intestine (ileocaecal junction). This is quite a narrow area of the intestine. At this point the decision was made to remove the dead section of intestine and stitch the two healthy ends together (end to end ileal anastomosis). This was particularly challenging due to how close the

Look good. Feel better. Live longer. Wanted

dog lovers to care for lovely dogs whilst their owners are away Become a host with

Barking Mad

It’s great fun, all of the benefits of dog ownership without the emotional or financial commitment. We carefully match dogs to your home.

To find out more please contact Anne Kessell

01952 677704

anne.kessell@barkingmad.uk.com

BarkingMad.uk.com

www.wrekinnews.co.uk · 39

40 Severn Edge Vets.indd 1

27/04/2017 17:34